The US government plans to relocate thousands of Marines to Guam. Photo: AFP
The United States government wants a Northern Marianas court to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the US military by four environmental and cultural groups.
The groups are challenging the decision to station marines in Guam and create live-fire training areas on Tinian and Pagan.
A government lawyer, Taylor Ferrell, says the plaintiffs' request for the relocation to be stopped based on the Navy's alleged failure to consider other locations is not something the court has jurisdiction over.
Mr Ferrell says the decision to move troops is one by and for the executive branch of the United States government that cannot be challenged in the Northern Marianas District Court.