CHOLL, Ngaraard (May 22, 2025) — U.S. officials and project leaders presented a revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Tactical Mobile Over-the-Horizon Radar (TACMOR) project during a second public hearing in Ngaraard, addressing numerous environmental and cultural concerns raised in the initial review. However, traditional leaders in Ngaraard emphasized the need for accountability and community inclusion moving forward.
Held at Ngaraard state government, Ngaraard Governor Sakuma welcomed neighboring states of Ngarchelong and Ngardmau. Representatives from the Environmental Quality Protection Board (EQPB), U.S. Embassy, U.S. military, and Palau’s Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries attended the session, aiming to build trust and explain the changes made to the EIS.
“We share your beliefs that any environmental changes have to be mitigated,” said Mr. Shankar Rao, the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission. “We understand and respect your culture, and we are in full compliance with Palau’s legal requirements.”
Colonel Justin Morrison, Commander Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, a key figure on the TACMOR project, emphasized transparency, environmental protection, and cultural preservation as guiding principles. Other experts, including biologist Matthew Welch and archaeologist Valerie Curtis, detailed technical updates and survey efforts.
Among the improvements to the EIS were:
- Enhanced information on marine species, such as the dugong, wetland details and mitigation plans.
- Commitments to plant endemic flora displaced by construction and reduce invasive species.
- Detailed environmental monitoring methodologies, including onsite biologists’ deployment and updated human and ecological health impacts.
- Changes to the antenna site design and the reverse osmosis system will minimize impact on seagrass beds.
- Cultural and historical research incorporating local experts, historical archives, and findings from past projects, such as the 2005 Compact Road assessments.
Chiefs of Elab Hamlet of Ngaraard, Ngarabailechelab, in a letter to Minister Obichang, voiced health concerns about the long-term exposure to radio frequency waves and what the US plans to do to solve potential problems.
Morrison explained the TACMOR system’s function: transmitting radio waves from Ngaraard to Angaur to improve regional air and sea awareness. It was emphasized that the radar system poses no health risks to humans and/or animals and that it is regulated by international regulatory bodies.
Despite these assurances, Ngaraard’s traditional leader, Chief Madrengebuked Tommy Remengesau Jr., voiced cautious support.
“We are not against the project,” he said. “We just want guarantees that what is promised in this report will be done. Sometimes what we intend does not always materialize as planned.”
Chief Madrengebuked appealed to EQPB to serve as a watchdog on behalf of the local community, stressing the lack of local experts and the need for technical information to be translated clearly into the local language.
He lamented that despite repeated requests by Ngaraard leadership to meet with the EQPB Board before the hearing, none were granted.
“We need you to be our eyes and ears,” he urged. “Explain to us in our own language so we all can understand and so that we can ask questions.”
The TACMOR project in Ngaraard met resistance after the Ngaraard government expressed dissatisfaction with EQPB’s handling of the first EIS draft. The issue was further escalated when a group of students filed a submission to the UN special rapporteur on the rights to a healthy environment, citing the project’s potential impact on the dugong population near the site.
During the public hearing, the US project officials sought to clarify and address the concerns raised after the initial EIS came out.
The EQPB will continue accepting public comments on the revised EIS until June 12. Once finalized, construction of the TACMOR site is expected to begin shortly afterward, with completion projected in three years.