HAGATNA — The Army Corps of Engineers has proposed creating a new surface danger zone that would restrict boat traffic along Guam’s northwest coast when a firing range is in use.
The zone supporting the military’s small arms firing range at Finegayan would extend about 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers) from shore and about 1 mile from end to end, the Pacific Daily News reported Tuesday.
Vessels would not be allowed to stop or loiter in the zone when the range is in use, according to the proposed rule published in the Federal Register. Boats would be allowed to quickly travel through the zone, but the commander of Naval Base Guam would be allowed to restrict passage.
“The danger zone is necessary to minimize potential conflicts between local populace activities and ongoing military training in the subject area,” the proposal stated.
The military plans to display a red flag during the day and use a strobe light at night when the range is active. It also plans to post lookouts.
“When the range is not in use, the danger zone shall be open to normal maritime traffic and all activities to include anchoring and loitering,” the proposal states.
The military is planning to improve and expand the existing small arms firing range at Finegayan as the Marine Corps relocates to Guam.
“This location is an existing range and meets all of the landside requirements of a small arms range,” the proposal states. “With limited land on the island, it is not feasible to have the firing range and safety zone completely on land.”
The U.S. government is taking public comment on the proposal until Jan. 14.