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3 the western quarter of the island. I am also directing the Pentagon to give me alternatives to Vieques training and begin to budget for it. Second, I am ordering that the training done on Vieques during this transition period will be limited to only inert ordnance – no live fire. Let me emphasize: the Navy will be ready to leave within five years. Only inert ordnance will be used in the transition period. Of course, if the people of Vieques decided to continue a relationship with the Navy down the road, on the same or different terms, that is their right. Third, while the Navy and Marine Corps will resume training on Vieques during the transition period, I have cut in half the amount of time they will spend training. Last year, our troops trained for 182 days on Vieques. Next year, they will be authorized for 90 days, which is what we need to meet our essential training needs. Finally, we will address the economic, health, and environmental concerns that the community has had for so long. Measures we will implement include, among other things, development of a new commercial ferry pier and terminal, an artificial reef to create new commercial fishing areas, temporary compensation for fishermen, expanding and improving roads, a bioluminescent bay preservation program, providing land to extend the airport runway, and a Public Health Service Study. (To ensure these measures are taken -- and that the missed opportunities of our 1983 agreement are not repeated -- I will ask the Pentagon to establish a working group that will include senior officials representing the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of Defense.) They will work with Vieques officials on all questions relating to the use of the range and coordination of transition issues. 3

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