US military officials are reportedly planning to enlarge a bombing range in the Northern Mariana islands.
The military newspaper, Stars and Stripes, reports Pentagon officials as saying Farallon de Medinilla is the only remaining location in the Pacific Rim where it can realistically expect to expand training facilities.
The US environmental group, Earthjustice, was concerned about the island's status as a home to several species of migratory seabirds.
Earthjustice had tried to stop the Navy from using the bombing range but lost its court action two years ago.