Texts Fwd:[famoksaiyanfriends] Futenma Relocation Study Released

* Texts fwd from Martha Duenas on Sept. 2, 2010

Pacific Daily News
Futenma Relocation Study Released
By Steve Limtiaco • Pacific Daily News • September 2, 2010


The relocation of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam is dependent on "tangible progress" on a replacement for the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan and U.S. officials said several months ago.

A group of experts this week released a report on two possible runway designs for that replacement base, in the Henoko-saki are`a of Okinawa.

The Aug. 31 report by the dual-nation "Experts Study Group" examined two options, both of which would require backfilling hundreds of acres of offshore land to build runways. They considered a V-shaped runway design already on the table, and a new I-shaped design.

"The release of the Futenma Replacement Facility report is an important step forward in bringing to a conclusion the concerns over the shape and size of the replacement facility," Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said yesterday in a written statement. "I commend the efforts of the Obama administration and the government of Japan to work collaboratively to address concerns regarding the Futenma facility. The Futenma facility is the lynchpin of the military buildup on Guam and progress toward final resolution is important to strengthening our bilateral relationship with Japan."

According to the report, the study was done so the air station can be relocated as soon as possible. It currently is in the densely populated Ginowan area of Okinawa.

According to the report, the I-shaped runway design could take about nine months longer to complete than the V-shaped runway. That is, the I-shape would take 15 months longer to break ground because it would require additional design and environmental work, but construction time would be six months shorter because less ocean would be filled.

The report states the V-shaped facility would take up 506 acres, require the filling of 395 acres of ocean, and would impact 17 acres of coral.

It states the I-shaped facility would take up 370 acres, require the filling of 296 acres of ocean, and would impact 13 acres of coral.

"Either plan would meet U.S. forces requirements for operational throughput and wind alignment, although the V-shaped configuration would provide a slightly broader range of wind coverage," the report states.

As for which runway design will be used, the report notes that the group's findings will be verified and validated before the next U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee meeting, "which will announce a decision." That is a regular meeting between the U.S. secretaries of state and defense and their Japan counterparts.

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* See also (from Martha Duenas on Sept. 2, 2010)

Marianas Business Journal
OKINAWA BASE TRANSFERS STILL UP IN AIR
Japanese Prime Minister to meet with Obama this month
Sept. 4, 2010

Pacific Daily News
Water Shed Field Trips Scheduled, September 2, 2010

Pacific Daily News
Utilities to Meet with Japan, DOD
By Laura Matthews, September 2, 2010

Pacific Daily News
Boys Find Crab Thought Extinct on Guam
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • September 2, 2010