An independent consultant says the environmental impact statement for the United States military training in the Northern Marianas is "woefully inadequate".
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Fisheries report says 'accidental kills' estimated by the Navy will not destroy the animals or their habitats.
But Nicholas Yost, one of the partners of Dentons, says his initial review shows the documents do not conform with the basic principles of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Mr Yost says the Navy has alternatives and that there are other more appropriate places for the military training.
The executive director of the US Marine Corps for the Pacific, Craig Wheldon, says plans have already been modified for the island of Pagan, to restrict live-fire to a certain area.
He says the US wants to be a good steward of the environment and is listening to concerns.
Pagan Island Photo: Supplied
