14 Feb 2012

Guam buildup critic says fewer US troops won't reduce environmental concerns

7:30 am on 14 February 2012

A critic of the United States military buildup on Guam says reduced United States troop numbers in the territory should not mean any less focus on the environment.

Local leaders have been told 4700 marines are now expected to move from Okinawa, about half the number in the original multi billion dollar plan.

A professor of Guam history and chamorro activist, Dr Michael Lujan Bevacqua says any reduction should refocus attention on the buildup's environmental, cultural and economic impact.

"The pressures would still exist. They would be lessened but always the problem is the buildup will not provide anywhere near as much money as the government of Guam estimates it would need in order to adequately prepare for an increase in population."