Japan Press Weekly

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2012 October 10 - 16 [ENVIRONMENT]

Ospreys have negative impact on ecosystem of Yanbaru

Counterarguments are arising in Japan against the U.S. Environmental Review evaluating that low-altitude flight training exercises by the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys “would not” have a significant impact on the environment.

The Review assumes that the USMC will conduct the Osprey training exercises in the Northern Training Area (Kunigami, Higashi villages) 3,864 times a year. Also, at the Osprey landing pads in the Takae district of Higashi Village which are now under forcible construction, 1,260 training exercises a year at low-altitudes will take place after completion of the construction work.

The Review concludes that the planned action “would result in minimal impacts” on the northern forests of Okinawa known as the Yanbaru area which is rich in biodiversity. Regarding protected bird species such as the Okinawa rail, the Review states that the USMC “would, if appropriate, institute mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts” when necessary.

To this, animal photographer Minato Kazuo pointed out that the Review is devoid of knowledge about the characteristics of animal behaviors. He has taken photos of all the 16 protected species living in the Yanbaru forest.

The Review states that if nests of the Okinawa rail, an endangered species, are found within the area, Osprey operations would be suspended at that landing zone for a 30-day period.

However, Minato counter-argued, “Okinawa rail have a territorial range of around about 10 hectares for males and 14 hectares for females. They frequently change their roosts as well. It is impossible to accurately understand the characteristics of flora and fauna by only conducting surveys.”

He also said, “When the aircraft are hovering or the nacelles are in the vertical position, the engine exhaust of Ospreys is directed downwards and hot air of more than 200 degrees Celsius will inevitably harm the nesting and roosting of the Okinawa rail and pryer’s woodpecker (another endemic bird). They may be forced to abandon their nests.”

“Leaf butterfly and great nawab butterfly, both endangered protected species, are also ignored in the Review. The male butterflies make claim to territory on tall treetops at short intervals for breeding. They will be knocked to the ground and killed in the intense downdraft associated with Osprey flights. The downdraft will have grave consequences on their breeding rates,” said Minato.

He added, “The biggest problem is that Osprey flights will likely endanger the habitat environment of the forest, threatening the very breeding and survival of diversified organisms.”

Onishi Teruo, an anti-U.S. helipads protester, said, “Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved trees cover almost the entirety of the Yanbaru forest. Their oily leaves protect them from the hot sun. The downdraft and hot air from the MV-22s will heat up the forest and increase the risk for fallen leaves to catch fire. Once a forest fire occurs, you can’t extinguish it.”

Pointing out that the area also creates a water reservoir for Okinawans, Onish said that not only the danger of crashes but a loss of the Yanbaru forest, a World Heritage candidate site, may lead to a collapse of Okinawa’s economy.

He stated, “The Japanese and U.S. governments should stop deploying the Osprey in Japan and should decide to put a halt to the construction of MV-22 landing pads in the Takae district.”