We Are Guahan and Dave Lotz with Ray Gibson
Interview between Ray Gibson, Dave Lotz and members of We Are Guahan about the Guam Boonie Stompers cleanup and hike to Pagat and Marbo Caves. They also talked about the military buildup Draft EIS.
Click here to download the entire podcast.
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/stories/k57podcasts/feb10/100215_083736.mp3
Part 2 - Interview between Ray Gibson, Dave Lotz and members of We Are Guahan about how there is still time to present testimony concerning the Draft EIS. They also discussed upcoming activities of the Guam Boonie Stompers including a hike on Naval Station at Orote Point.
Click here to download the entire podcast.
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/stories/k57podcasts/feb10/100215_090556.mp3
Showing posts with label Pagat Cave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pagat Cave. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Holiday cleanup shows Pagat some love
Holiday cleanup shows Pagat some love
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They could have been at home enjoying breakfast in bed with their sweethearts.
Instead, they came bearing trash bags to show some love for their island.
The Guam Boonie Stompers Association and We Are Guåhan arranged a hike and cleanup of the trail to Pagat Caves yesterday.
According to the two groups, the hike was more than just an opportunity to inform the public on how the area will be affected as a result of the military buildup. It also was a demonstration of the different groups of people who care about their island.
"One of the things I do know is growing up here, every weekend there are a lot of formal hikes organized and which are led, and usually a very specific demographic goes on those," said Desiree Ventura of We Are Guåhan.
"With me and my friends and family, I know that sometimes we just roll down in groups of ones or twos or threes and we don't really get to see the other groups of people who enjoy it," she said. "So there's a big misconception about who's using it, and I thought this was a great opportunity to show that we all value it, and we can all take care of it and work together."
The Pagat caves once were a source of fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and are now one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and latte stones dating back over 3,500 years, according to the two organizations.
But access to the caves may soon be limited if the Defense Department places a firing range on part of it -- one of the options outlined in the department's draft Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.
That's one of the reasons 45-year-old Roy Geary of Tamuning was out cleaning the trail on his way down to the caves yesterday. He hadn't visited them before but had always wanted to, he said.
"This is kind of like payment for the hike," said Geary, as he stacked wood strewn across the trail into a pickup truck.
Sonny Cruz, 41, of Sinajana said it was his first trip to the caves as well. He hadn't been to the Pagat caves before and wanted to explore them with his kids while he still had a chance.
In response to those who may have said it's too late to be cleaning up the trail now -- just as access is on the cusp of being restricted -- Cruz said he feels the cleanup hike actually demonstrates local residents' desire to keep their natural sites clean and that they do care about it.
"I guess they want to do this to try and clean it up and show that we're trying to take care of this area so that they can keep doing their boonie stomps," he said.
Plus, according to Dave Lotz, a hiker with the Guam Boonie Stompers, this isn't the first time his group has orchestrated a beautification project like this.
"The Guam Boonie Stompers has had an interest in the Pagat Cave area for some time and has been doing regular cleanups on the island," he said.
"We've cleaned up the area, trying to concentrate on the trash in the cave area and also in (the) Chamorro village, but with increased usage and with illegal dumping, we feel we need to make a major community effort to cleaning up the area that goes through one of our major cultural assets on the island," Lotz said. "(It's) certainly received increased attention with the possibility that this could be closed due to the military buildup, and we just want to show that there's community support for this, which is what we're seeing right now on a Sunday morning."
In the meantime, the Guam Preservation Trust is trying to get Pagat on a list of the the country's Most Endangered Historic Properties, a designation program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which could possibly prevent the Defense Department from constructing the firing range there.
By Amritha Alladi • Pacific Daily News • February 15, 2010
They could have been at home enjoying breakfast in bed with their sweethearts.
Instead, they came bearing trash bags to show some love for their island.
The Guam Boonie Stompers Association and We Are Guåhan arranged a hike and cleanup of the trail to Pagat Caves yesterday.
According to the two groups, the hike was more than just an opportunity to inform the public on how the area will be affected as a result of the military buildup. It also was a demonstration of the different groups of people who care about their island.
"One of the things I do know is growing up here, every weekend there are a lot of formal hikes organized and which are led, and usually a very specific demographic goes on those," said Desiree Ventura of We Are Guåhan.
"With me and my friends and family, I know that sometimes we just roll down in groups of ones or twos or threes and we don't really get to see the other groups of people who enjoy it," she said. "So there's a big misconception about who's using it, and I thought this was a great opportunity to show that we all value it, and we can all take care of it and work together."
The Pagat caves once were a source of fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and are now one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and latte stones dating back over 3,500 years, according to the two organizations.
But access to the caves may soon be limited if the Defense Department places a firing range on part of it -- one of the options outlined in the department's draft Environmental Impact Statement on the military buildup.
That's one of the reasons 45-year-old Roy Geary of Tamuning was out cleaning the trail on his way down to the caves yesterday. He hadn't visited them before but had always wanted to, he said.
"This is kind of like payment for the hike," said Geary, as he stacked wood strewn across the trail into a pickup truck.
Sonny Cruz, 41, of Sinajana said it was his first trip to the caves as well. He hadn't been to the Pagat caves before and wanted to explore them with his kids while he still had a chance.
In response to those who may have said it's too late to be cleaning up the trail now -- just as access is on the cusp of being restricted -- Cruz said he feels the cleanup hike actually demonstrates local residents' desire to keep their natural sites clean and that they do care about it.
"I guess they want to do this to try and clean it up and show that we're trying to take care of this area so that they can keep doing their boonie stomps," he said.
Plus, according to Dave Lotz, a hiker with the Guam Boonie Stompers, this isn't the first time his group has orchestrated a beautification project like this.
"The Guam Boonie Stompers has had an interest in the Pagat Cave area for some time and has been doing regular cleanups on the island," he said.
"We've cleaned up the area, trying to concentrate on the trash in the cave area and also in (the) Chamorro village, but with increased usage and with illegal dumping, we feel we need to make a major community effort to cleaning up the area that goes through one of our major cultural assets on the island," Lotz said. "(It's) certainly received increased attention with the possibility that this could be closed due to the military buildup, and we just want to show that there's community support for this, which is what we're seeing right now on a Sunday morning."
In the meantime, the Guam Preservation Trust is trying to get Pagat on a list of the the country's Most Endangered Historic Properties, a designation program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which could possibly prevent the Defense Department from constructing the firing range there.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
We Are Guahan leading Pagat cleanup
We Are Guahan leading Pagat cleanup
Posted: Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - The We Are Guahan Coalition is inviting the public to take part in a cleanup for Valentines Day tomorrow at the Pagat Caves in Mangilao. Coalition member Victoria "Lola" Leon Guerrero says because it's a day to celebrate love, the group decided to show to others how much they love their land and that cleaning it up will benefit the people of Guam.
The organization is partnering up with the Guam Boonie Stompers. "We really are doing this in direct response to a quote from a JGPO official that says if they put a firing range there, that they will actually clean up the site and we want to show them that we can clean up our own land and that we don't want Pagat to turn into a firing range and we want to appreciate the ancient Chamorro villages, the fresh water caves and that's also what we'll be doing tomorrow as well. After the clean up, everyone that shows up we'll go down to the caves and swim and just enjoy the beauty of the area and pay tribute to the historic significance of it."
The group is scheduled to meet at the trail at the back road to Andersen AFB at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Posted: Feb 12, 2010 6:18 PM PST
by Michele Catahay
Guam - The We Are Guahan Coalition is inviting the public to take part in a cleanup for Valentines Day tomorrow at the Pagat Caves in Mangilao. Coalition member Victoria "Lola" Leon Guerrero says because it's a day to celebrate love, the group decided to show to others how much they love their land and that cleaning it up will benefit the people of Guam.
The organization is partnering up with the Guam Boonie Stompers. "We really are doing this in direct response to a quote from a JGPO official that says if they put a firing range there, that they will actually clean up the site and we want to show them that we can clean up our own land and that we don't want Pagat to turn into a firing range and we want to appreciate the ancient Chamorro villages, the fresh water caves and that's also what we'll be doing tomorrow as well. After the clean up, everyone that shows up we'll go down to the caves and swim and just enjoy the beauty of the area and pay tribute to the historic significance of it."
The group is scheduled to meet at the trail at the back road to Andersen AFB at around 9am tomorrow morning.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Hikers to mark love day in Pagat Caves
Hikers to mark love day in Pagat Caves
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 03:34
Variety News Staff
(GBM/WAG) -- The Guam Boonie Stompers and the We are Guahan organization are leading the public in a free-of-charge Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Feb. 14.
On the popular holiday associated with romance, the coordinating organizations are encouraging residents to show love to their island and enjoy the diverse collection of individuals in support of efforts in the island's best interest.
Located on Guam's eastern coast, Pagat caves is one of Guam's most significant historical sites. The caves once provided fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and is one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and lattes dating back over 3,500 years.
While organized hikes are often led to the caves, local families and individuals also frequent the site in less formal groups to enjoy the water and take part in one of the many activities that make life on Guam unique. The joint effort to organize the clean-up seeks to provide an opportunity for education, constructive action and friendship.
The draft environmental impact statement plans identify the recreation spot and cultural site as an area needed to accommodate a Marine firing range, which would restrict both civilian and non-civilian access to the site.
Currently, the Guam Preservation Trust is advocating to have Pagat included on the list of the country's most endangered places. Many worry that the presence of a firing range will damage the ancient artifacts, injure efforts to preserve and share Chamorro culture with locals and visitors and will further limit options for outdoor recreation.
Those interested in attending the clean-up are asked to meet at 9 o'clock am, in front of the trail entrance on Route 15 (immediately North of the Anderson South gate).
Hikers and volunteers should bring their own cleaning materials, such as trash bags, gloves or tools. Clean-up organizers welcome volunteers capable of providing trucks, backhoes or equipment that could assist volunteers in removing larger materials.
Those who would like to provide trucks or backhoes in order to remove larger pieces of debris are asked to contact Dave Lotz of the Guam Boonie Stomper's association for additional details. All attending are asked to bring water, appropriate shoes, gloves, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a snack and swimming attire.
Tuesday, 09 February 2010 03:34
Variety News Staff
(GBM/WAG) -- The Guam Boonie Stompers and the We are Guahan organization are leading the public in a free-of-charge Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Feb. 14.
On the popular holiday associated with romance, the coordinating organizations are encouraging residents to show love to their island and enjoy the diverse collection of individuals in support of efforts in the island's best interest.
Located on Guam's eastern coast, Pagat caves is one of Guam's most significant historical sites. The caves once provided fresh water to ancient Chamorro villages and is one of the few places on island where residents and tourists may view ancient pottery, lusongs and lattes dating back over 3,500 years.
While organized hikes are often led to the caves, local families and individuals also frequent the site in less formal groups to enjoy the water and take part in one of the many activities that make life on Guam unique. The joint effort to organize the clean-up seeks to provide an opportunity for education, constructive action and friendship.
The draft environmental impact statement plans identify the recreation spot and cultural site as an area needed to accommodate a Marine firing range, which would restrict both civilian and non-civilian access to the site.
Currently, the Guam Preservation Trust is advocating to have Pagat included on the list of the country's most endangered places. Many worry that the presence of a firing range will damage the ancient artifacts, injure efforts to preserve and share Chamorro culture with locals and visitors and will further limit options for outdoor recreation.
Those interested in attending the clean-up are asked to meet at 9 o'clock am, in front of the trail entrance on Route 15 (immediately North of the Anderson South gate).
Hikers and volunteers should bring their own cleaning materials, such as trash bags, gloves or tools. Clean-up organizers welcome volunteers capable of providing trucks, backhoes or equipment that could assist volunteers in removing larger materials.
Those who would like to provide trucks or backhoes in order to remove larger pieces of debris are asked to contact Dave Lotz of the Guam Boonie Stomper's association for additional details. All attending are asked to bring water, appropriate shoes, gloves, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a snack and swimming attire.
Hike seeks to beautify Pagat Caves
Hike seeks to beautify Pagat Caves
Posted: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
Updated: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - Guam Boonie Stompers and We Are Guahan will be holding a Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Sunday, February 14. According to organizers, the event is an effort to provide education, constructive action and friendship.
Pagat Caves is a beloved recreation spot and cultural site that could potentially be used to accommodate a firing range. The Guam Preservation Trust is attempting to have Pagat included on the list of the nation's most endangered places.
The cleanup will be held on Sunday at 9 in the morning in front of trail entrance on Route 15.
Posted: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
Updated: Feb 08, 2010 3:31 PM
by Heather Hauswirth
Guam - Guam Boonie Stompers and We Are Guahan will be holding a Valentines Day hike and effort to beautify Pagat Caves on Sunday, February 14. According to organizers, the event is an effort to provide education, constructive action and friendship.
Pagat Caves is a beloved recreation spot and cultural site that could potentially be used to accommodate a firing range. The Guam Preservation Trust is attempting to have Pagat included on the list of the nation's most endangered places.
The cleanup will be held on Sunday at 9 in the morning in front of trail entrance on Route 15.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Guam Raceway still faces uncertain future
Guam Raceway still faces uncertain future
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 03:22
by William Martin | Variety News Staff
The fate of the Guam International Raceway and Jose and Hermenia Off Road Park is still up in the air as discussions continue between the Department of Defense and park officials.
The local community has been in an uproar regarding possible plans – outlined in the recently released Environmental Impact Statement, which assesses possible ramifications of Guam’s upcoming military buildup – to acquire additional, non DOD land for the construction of a training complex on eastern coastal lands off Route 15 in Yigo.
The land in question contains the raceway, as well as closely held ancestral sites Marbo and Pagat Caves, also including some privately owned land.
Last Friday, park officials began talks with the DOD on the future of the park, according to Henry Simpson, president of the Guam Racing Federation and general manager of the raceway.
He said park officials remained steadfast in talks that if the DOD is in need of the land, a new raceway must be built for Guam.
“If they still want it and aren’t willing to build us a new park,” he said. “They’re going to have to take it through imminent domain.”
Simpson said the difficulty in finding a new park lies in locating an area far enough away from the general public that noise generated from racing activities won’t become a nuisance to those residing nearby – a quality the current site possesses. The land was licensed to the federation for a period of 21 years nearly a decade ago by the Chamorro Land Trust, Simpson said.
He estimates some $7 million in cash has been put into the raceway, not including some $5 million in volunteer efforts by the non-profit federation, adding that raceway officials are also willing to neighbor the training complex if possible.
The third in a series of DOD-hosted public hearings on the matter took place last night at the Yigo Gymnasium, during which local residents attended to make their voices heard regarding the areas in question.
Many residents took the opportunity to make impassioned testimonies about their feelings on the buildup and plans for DOD to acquire the land.
Capt. Neil Ruggerio, public affairs officer for the Joint Guam Program Office declined comment to the Variety on the raceway’s future while attending the hearing, saying only that it was the local residents’ time to speak.
Bob Bucek, spokesman for the raceway said park personnel now plan to prepare and submit written testimony to the JGPO, and asks anyone interested in the park to do the same.
He said that while he was concerned about the raceway, the possibility of some of Guam’s historical sites is also cause for concern.
“If those areas are lost forever,” he shared. “It’s not just the people of Guam, but everybody that will lose.”
The next hearing is scheduled for today at Okkodo High School, with an open house segment from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a public comment allotment ending at 9 p.m.
For more information regarding the statement or future related events, including an option to submit a statement about the buildup, please visit www.guambuildupeis.us.
Tuesday, 12 January 2010 03:22
by William Martin | Variety News Staff
The fate of the Guam International Raceway and Jose and Hermenia Off Road Park is still up in the air as discussions continue between the Department of Defense and park officials.
The local community has been in an uproar regarding possible plans – outlined in the recently released Environmental Impact Statement, which assesses possible ramifications of Guam’s upcoming military buildup – to acquire additional, non DOD land for the construction of a training complex on eastern coastal lands off Route 15 in Yigo.
The land in question contains the raceway, as well as closely held ancestral sites Marbo and Pagat Caves, also including some privately owned land.
Last Friday, park officials began talks with the DOD on the future of the park, according to Henry Simpson, president of the Guam Racing Federation and general manager of the raceway.
He said park officials remained steadfast in talks that if the DOD is in need of the land, a new raceway must be built for Guam.
“If they still want it and aren’t willing to build us a new park,” he said. “They’re going to have to take it through imminent domain.”
Simpson said the difficulty in finding a new park lies in locating an area far enough away from the general public that noise generated from racing activities won’t become a nuisance to those residing nearby – a quality the current site possesses. The land was licensed to the federation for a period of 21 years nearly a decade ago by the Chamorro Land Trust, Simpson said.
He estimates some $7 million in cash has been put into the raceway, not including some $5 million in volunteer efforts by the non-profit federation, adding that raceway officials are also willing to neighbor the training complex if possible.
The third in a series of DOD-hosted public hearings on the matter took place last night at the Yigo Gymnasium, during which local residents attended to make their voices heard regarding the areas in question.
Many residents took the opportunity to make impassioned testimonies about their feelings on the buildup and plans for DOD to acquire the land.
Capt. Neil Ruggerio, public affairs officer for the Joint Guam Program Office declined comment to the Variety on the raceway’s future while attending the hearing, saying only that it was the local residents’ time to speak.
Bob Bucek, spokesman for the raceway said park personnel now plan to prepare and submit written testimony to the JGPO, and asks anyone interested in the park to do the same.
He said that while he was concerned about the raceway, the possibility of some of Guam’s historical sites is also cause for concern.
“If those areas are lost forever,” he shared. “It’s not just the people of Guam, but everybody that will lose.”
The next hearing is scheduled for today at Okkodo High School, with an open house segment from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by a public comment allotment ending at 9 p.m.
For more information regarding the statement or future related events, including an option to submit a statement about the buildup, please visit www.guambuildupeis.us.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Military negotiates with 3 landowners
Military negotiates with 3 landowners
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • January 11, 2010
The military is already negotiating with the three landowners whose property will most likely be absorbed into the new firing range on Guam's northeast coast.
On Thursday night, retired Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said he was certain the landowners and the Department of Defense will reach an agreement that benefits everyone.
"We've talked to those landowners, and I am very confident that we can reach an agreement," Bice said. "I'm a landowner, I'm a farmer. I know about land rights and property rights ... I am not going to be involved with any process that takes other people's land."
Bice was so certain an agreement would be reached that he declined to discuss what would happen if parties didn't see eye to eye. He would not discuss "speculation."
Sen. Judith Guthertz, who is chairwoman of the Legislature's buildup committee, is not so confident the landowners will part with their property.
"I think he's wrong," Guthertz said. "I know some of the families he is speaking of."
Although Bice said only three landowners are likely to be affected by the construction of the firing range, land acquisition has quickly become one of the most combative issues brought on by the coming military buildup.
Pagat Cave
The buildup will require the Department of Defense to expand its borders and place access restrictions for civilians to some land it owns. At the center of this issue is a large tract of land near Pagat Cave where a firing range will be built.
On Dec. 29, 2009, more than 50 people attended a public hearing on a legislative resolution against the condemnation of local property. More than 30 of them spoke in favor of the resolution, while only one spoke against it.
Some of them are concerned residents who have land in the valley area near Marbo Cave, Bice said. They are "inappropriately worried" their land will be acquired, but it's unlikely, he added.
The ridgeline is the primary site for the firing range and the valley is the backup. And the ridgeline is preferred by a wide margin, Bice said.
According to the draft Environmental Impact Statement, nearly all of the land on the ridgeline belongs to GovGuam, not individuals.
Community concern
On Friday, Guthertz said it didn't matter if the military wanted the land of one family or a thousand. They had an island full of support, she said.
Many of Guam's residents are still angry the military took land from local people after World War II and didn't fairly compensate them, she said. The island felt indebted and the military took advantage of them, she said.
This frustration runs deep, she said.
"They just really hate the idea because they feel there was a lot of injustice done," Guthertz said.
Although some protesters may not own any land that will be acquired for the coming military buildup, they are still concerned their fellow islanders will be taken advantage of again, Guthertz said.
"(Bice) shouldn't assume because it's only one to three families they will voluntarily agree to sell or lease their land, even if he has a hammer over their head ..." Guthertz said.
If the military makes an offer that the private landowners actually want, no one should object to the transfer of land, Guthertz said.
Public lands
The military must also acquire some public land from GovGuam that isn't owned by any single resident but is shared by the community.
The Defense Department is already discussing the acquisition of this land with local leaders, like the governor and senators, to broker a deal, Bice said.
"Everyone is looking for the highest and best use in terms of any potential compensation for that," Bice said. "Having had discussions with everyone -- with all stakeholders -- I am convinced that we are going to reach an agreement."
For John Sarmiento, a discussion with local leaders isn't good enough.
Sarmiento, 17, is a member of We Are Guahan, a group protesting the buildup and draft EIS.
During a public hearing on Thursday night, Sarmiento said the buildup hadn't been planned on the terms of average citizens.
The buildup became inevitable before it was ever discussed with the public, he said.
"It was an order handed down, and then we were informed. We were never part of the dialogue like they say we were," Sarmiento said. "Even if the Legislature or the governor do represent the people, I think they failed on their part to really connect with us."
By Brett Kelman • Pacific Daily News • January 11, 2010
The military is already negotiating with the three landowners whose property will most likely be absorbed into the new firing range on Guam's northeast coast.
On Thursday night, retired Maj. Gen. David Bice, executive director of the Joint Guam Program Office, said he was certain the landowners and the Department of Defense will reach an agreement that benefits everyone.
"We've talked to those landowners, and I am very confident that we can reach an agreement," Bice said. "I'm a landowner, I'm a farmer. I know about land rights and property rights ... I am not going to be involved with any process that takes other people's land."
Bice was so certain an agreement would be reached that he declined to discuss what would happen if parties didn't see eye to eye. He would not discuss "speculation."
Sen. Judith Guthertz, who is chairwoman of the Legislature's buildup committee, is not so confident the landowners will part with their property.
"I think he's wrong," Guthertz said. "I know some of the families he is speaking of."
Although Bice said only three landowners are likely to be affected by the construction of the firing range, land acquisition has quickly become one of the most combative issues brought on by the coming military buildup.
Pagat Cave
The buildup will require the Department of Defense to expand its borders and place access restrictions for civilians to some land it owns. At the center of this issue is a large tract of land near Pagat Cave where a firing range will be built.
On Dec. 29, 2009, more than 50 people attended a public hearing on a legislative resolution against the condemnation of local property. More than 30 of them spoke in favor of the resolution, while only one spoke against it.
Some of them are concerned residents who have land in the valley area near Marbo Cave, Bice said. They are "inappropriately worried" their land will be acquired, but it's unlikely, he added.
The ridgeline is the primary site for the firing range and the valley is the backup. And the ridgeline is preferred by a wide margin, Bice said.
According to the draft Environmental Impact Statement, nearly all of the land on the ridgeline belongs to GovGuam, not individuals.
Community concern
On Friday, Guthertz said it didn't matter if the military wanted the land of one family or a thousand. They had an island full of support, she said.
Many of Guam's residents are still angry the military took land from local people after World War II and didn't fairly compensate them, she said. The island felt indebted and the military took advantage of them, she said.
This frustration runs deep, she said.
"They just really hate the idea because they feel there was a lot of injustice done," Guthertz said.
Although some protesters may not own any land that will be acquired for the coming military buildup, they are still concerned their fellow islanders will be taken advantage of again, Guthertz said.
"(Bice) shouldn't assume because it's only one to three families they will voluntarily agree to sell or lease their land, even if he has a hammer over their head ..." Guthertz said.
If the military makes an offer that the private landowners actually want, no one should object to the transfer of land, Guthertz said.
Public lands
The military must also acquire some public land from GovGuam that isn't owned by any single resident but is shared by the community.
The Defense Department is already discussing the acquisition of this land with local leaders, like the governor and senators, to broker a deal, Bice said.
"Everyone is looking for the highest and best use in terms of any potential compensation for that," Bice said. "Having had discussions with everyone -- with all stakeholders -- I am convinced that we are going to reach an agreement."
For John Sarmiento, a discussion with local leaders isn't good enough.
Sarmiento, 17, is a member of We Are Guahan, a group protesting the buildup and draft EIS.
During a public hearing on Thursday night, Sarmiento said the buildup hadn't been planned on the terms of average citizens.
The buildup became inevitable before it was ever discussed with the public, he said.
"It was an order handed down, and then we were informed. We were never part of the dialogue like they say we were," Sarmiento said. "Even if the Legislature or the governor do represent the people, I think they failed on their part to really connect with us."
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