GOJ applies to change Henoko construction: OPG to approve next month

GOJ applies to change Henoko construction: OPG to approve next month

An outline of the Okinawa Defense Bureau's form requesting approval for changes to plan.


September 4, 2014 Ryukyu Shimpo

On September 3, the Okinawa Defense Bureau filed an application to the Hokubu Regional Public Works Office requesting approval for modifying part of the construction methods for reclaiming the sea at Henoko, Nago for the relocation of the U.S. military’s Futenma Air Station. The application is based on the Public Water Body Reclamation Act. The Okinawa Defense Bureau must also get approval from the governor of Okinawa . The governor is likely to approve the application in early October after considering environmental conservation factors. This will likely be a talking point in the run-up to the gubernatorial election in November.

The four modifications are: (1) The additional placement of three temporary roads on Henoko Peninsula within Camp Schwab; (2) the addition of partitioning revetments that will be passageways during the reclamation works; (3) a change to the location at which Mija River will be diverted; and (4) a change to the method used to bring in the earth and sand used for the reclamation. Among these four points, (3) and (4) were put to Nago City for consultation. There will also be consultations with Nago City over the issue of usage of the Henoko fishery harbor, which was the planned location of a construction operations yard for the landfill. The area is administered by the city.

The additional temporary roads will connect with already-approved temporary roads, forming 3 roads encircling Henoko Peninsula. Along the coast of Henoko Peninsula, “partitioning revetments”, will be constructed and will become temporary roads during the filling-in of the sea with earth and sand.

Meanwhile, the planned installation of a conveyer belt for the transport of earth and sand from the area around Henoko Dam, which is located near the hilly areas on the inland side of National Route 329, has been cancelled. This is because the proposal crosses the surface of the reservoir of Henoko Dam, which is administered by Nago City, and the city is expected to reject the proposal.

Instead, a construction bridge will be built straddling Route 329, and a temporary road will be placed from the bridge to the coast through Camp Schwab. In addition, Route 329 will be used for the transport of earth and in large trucks.

(English translation by T&CT and Lima Tokumori)

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