The governor of the Northern Marianas Ralph Torres wants to temporarily halt negotiations with the US military for firing ranges on the islands of Tinian and Pagan.
Instead, Mr Torres proposed the military focus on the divert airfield plan for Tinian.
A beach in Tinian, CNMI, used for subsistence fishing and recreation by local residents. Proposed US military live-fire training would prevent access to this beach much of the year. Saipan is visible just across the water. Photo: Dan Lin
The divert plan calls for the military to release $US375 million for the improvement of the Tinian International Airport.
It would be used in the event Anderson Air Force Base in Guam is rendered inoperable due to attack or natural calamity.