Contentious Meeting at the Chamorro Land Trust Commission

Published by KUAM News on Feb. 18, 2016.

By Ken Quintanilla

The approval of up to 600 acres of Chamorro Land Trust property to be used for commercial purposes will have to wait - that's the decision by the CLTC, who tabled any action following concerns not just from the public, but commissioners as well.

"Our people must line up to individually apply for land and we believe that so, too, must these commercial business applicants," explained Catherine Flores McCollum. As part of the I Nasion Chamorro organization, she was one of several island residents who continue to oppose the Chamorro Land Trust's plans to lease out 600 acres of property for commercial use. "They may ask for a small amount to see if the commission can screen each commercial individuals request, but to just outright give them randomly 600 acres this is so ludicrous," she said.

The purpose of leasing out the properties for commercial use is to generate revenues to help fund much needed land surveys and infrastructure for residential and agricultural applicants who have been waiting for decades.

For social work student Luke Duenas, he says why doesn't the trust just collect money owed from people already leasing out commercial properties. He said, "Have you not learned from the past - instead of commercial leasing more land, bring justice to those who are not even paying. And the property value from back then as tripled if not quadrupled until now, so that's the solution you have to have more regulations on the people who are currently paying."

Department of Land Management director Michael Borja, however, says it's not an overnight thing and involves a lengthy process. "There is a really strict process laid out by the law that we also have to follow because they do have their rights, as well," he detailed.

That didn't sit well with McCollum, who said the CLTC has the power to evict anyone who doesn't belong there. "Find out why are these people are using having a business on a Chamorro Land Trust property. And if they're not paying, kick them out! And they're not even Chamorro - what the heck are they doing there?"

And just as the public had concern, so did CLTC chairman Joseph Cruz, who said, "This is not a win-win situation for Chamorro Land Trust, that's how I feel. So you make the move, because I'm not voting for a list."

Cruz wanted to know what were the pros and cons the CLTC would encounter if they moved forward with the leases. He said he wasn't comfortable making a vote, saying, "A lot of these are just your say, I work for the government and I don't appreciate looking at this like a rubber stamp - I don't. Everything in here could have been done better."

Commissioners eventually tabled the item on the agenda.

Phillips intervenes in ancestral lands lawsuit

by Lannie Walker from KUAM.com

Guam - A hearing on a lawsuit brought against the Ancestral Lands Commission was postponed today in Superior Court. Attorney Curtis Van De Veld filed a class action lawsuit in July, claiming a public law that allows the transfer of ancestral properties at the former Federal Aviation Administration site and Marbo land to Tiyan landowners is inorganic.

Van De Veld was able to get a retraining order enforced against the ALC prohibiting it from issuing deeds to the land. Just this week Attorney Mike Phillips filed a motion to intervene on behalf of the Tiyan , including Benny Crawford, who said, "If you read his filing the law is legal there is nothing unconstitutional on it what was done is fair."

Van De Veld say he does not believe Phillips has an interest in the case as Assistant Attorney General William Bishcoff already represents the Ancestral Lands Commission. The status conference before Judge Arthur Barcinas to determine a schedule for the case was moved to January 7 of next year.

Governor's Final State of the Island Address Filled With Surprises

Governor's Final State of the Island Address Filled With Surprises

Monday, 15 February 2010

Guam - After nearly completing eight years in office Governor Felix Camacho gave his last state of the island address Monday morning..

While he looked back on his past accomplishments Camacho also looked to the future as he spoke about the military buildup and how it would affect the lives of everyone on Guam. Governor Felix Camacho began his last state of the island address with a reflection on the past recalling how he first took the oath of office by candelight.

Camacho took the reigns of GovGuam almost immediately after typhoon Pongsona ripped through the island. He dealt with the economic recession in Asia and the aftermath of 9/11. It was not a time of prosperity. This is why the governor spoke proudly of how his administration and his family helped him turn tragedy into triumph.

He listed off the many accomplishments of his administration saying "Through municipal leasing we build Okkodo High, Astumbo Middle, Liguan and Adacao Elementary schools when people said we couldn'." He also spoke of the millions of dollars worth of construction his administration has undertaken to improve roads expand airport runways and improve water and wastewater. He said "Today our water is the cleanest and safest it's been in decades."

The Govenor also dropped a few bombshells talking about issues that would've seemed unlikely to come out of his mouth during his first term as governor. For example he spoke about the reunification of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. He also spoke candidly about the military buildup saying it was imperative that it be done properly. He said "First the federal government must commit to fund the government of Guam's buildup needs" He also said that the buildup timeline must be extended beyond 2014 and called upon the Department of Defense to re-evaluate their plans and placement of the firing range and proposed dredging of Apra Harbor. He said "I will not support the condemnation of our Ancestral or Chamorro Land Trust Properties."

Finally, he spoke about something that if done could grant him a solid spot in the anals of Guam history. Before dropping this final bom he said "Okay here we go, this is Legacy time". The governor was referring to his propossal to change the name of Guam to Guahan. Guahan is a name many believe to be the original name of Guam.

Written by : Clynt Ridgell

Camacho: we will finish strong

Camacho: we will finish strong

Posted: Feb 15, 2010 2:13 PM
Updated: Feb 15, 2010 4:51 PM

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

*GuamGovernor.net - 2010 State of the Island Address
http://guamgovernor.net/SOTI_2010.pdf

Guam - With his term expiring at the end of the year, Governor Felix Camacho delivered his last State of the Island Address this morning. The island's chief executive detailed his administration's list of achievements, his legacy, and the future of Guam. And the governor says his administration has fought the good fight and plans to finish strong.

Governor Camacho began his final Address by first asking for a moment of silence for the island's 17 fallen heroes who died while serving in the Middle East. From there, Camacho began listing off his many projects he and his administration completed in the last seven years while in office, detailing milestones made in building new schools, new police and fire precincts, improvements to the island's infrastructure, climbing tourism numbers, and the Guam Memorial Hospital being closer than ever to accreditation.

The governor said he's come along way since being sworn in by candlelight in the wake of 2002's Supertyphoon Pongsona. "This is not jus a list of accomplishments," he noted, "It is the fulfillment of our commitment to serve our people."

There were other issues that however remain unresolved like mental health on the verge of a possible federal takeover. "While some have eyes set on taking over mental health services, we are determined to maintain ownership, not receivership," he maintained.

And the longstanding problems surrounding the Department of Education and the construction of a new John F. Kennedy High School were touched upon, with the governor saying the problems with education are chronic and systemic, adding that progress has been slow because of a politically charged environment.

Although the governor says he's worked with DOE to solve its problems, the true power lies within the agency itself. "There is an elected policy board, a super and multiple administrative positions but when trouble arises the governor is blamed, all authority for education rests within DOE," Camacho said.

The governor in the meantime went on to discuss the importance his administration has placed on building and maintaining relationships not just with the federal government but with regional leaders, even going so far as saying Guam and the CNMI should once again seek reunification. "With one Marianas," Camacho noted, "with greater representation and inclusion as Americans citizens, we will only strengthen our people in our communities."

Saying the island is in a state of anticipation, Governor Camacho says he has heard the voices of the people and has listened to their concerns and that he is determined to ensure that the military buildup is good for Guam. Camacho pledged to ensure the island's environment is protected and, its culture preserved.

In terms of funding, the governor maintained the feds should pay their fair share, saying, "Make no mistake: the people of Guam are not asking for free handouts, the people of Guam are not asking for special treatment, the people of Guam are simply asking what every good American should ask for - that the buildup ahead benefits both the American patriot inside the fence and the American patriot outside the fence: the people of Guam."

The governor requested the feds to extend the buildup implementation past the 2014 timeframe, and also made it clear that he was against the condemnation of ancestral land and Chamorro Land Trust Commission properties.

When it came to talking about his legacy the governor proceeded to provide a brief history of Guam lesson, and said there has been a revival of our island's identity and sense of place in this world, saying, "Today I will submit legislation; I've also signed an executive order and I'm calling on our Legislature, and our congresswoman, Madeleine Bordallo, and you the people of Guam to join me in taking all necessary legal action to formally change the name of our island from Guam to 'Guahan'".

The governor ended his speech by saying his father, the late governor Carlos Camacho, would be proud, and said it was his family, friends and faith that helped him through his two terms in office. "Even though I'm out of office, we all continue to serve. Let's stick together, let's remember that Guam is a great place and no matter what the critics say, no matter what you read in the newspaper or hear on the radio, we are good people - all of us. So let's continue to serve and thank God for all that we have," said Camacho.

Bordallo urged to push buildup resolution

Bordallo urged to push buildup resolution

By Dionesis Tamondong • Pacific Daily News • February 13, 2010

With the unanimous approval of Resolution 275, Sen. Frank Blas Jr. reminded Delegate Madeleine Bordallo of her promise to support and represent to Congress the many issues listed in the measure.

The resolution, which the Legislature approved on Thursday, raises many issues concerning the draft Environmental Impact Statement and the impact of the military's buildup plans on Guam.

Resolution 275 also urges Congress to address long-standing local issues, including war reparations, Compact-impact reimbursement, the removal of Medicaid funding caps and unreturned ancestral land.

"In light of your commitment to represent the position of the Legislature on behalf of the people of Guam as contained in Resolution 275 to members of both the House and Senate, I thank you for this promise and look forward to your introduction of measures that would address our concerns and also provide resolution to our long-standing issues," Blas wrote in a letter sent to her office yesterday afternoon.

The letter was just one of several sent by local senators to Bordallo's office this past week.

Foreign workers

Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, in a series of letters, called on Bordallo to reconsider her position on allowing the use of foreign workers on buildup-related construction projects.

Cruz cited estimates in the draft EIS report that H-2 workers will spend about 20 percent of their income in the local economy, while workers hired locally are estimated to spend 45 percent of their income here.

"Based on the (Department of Defense's) anticipated expenditures from 2010 through 2016, local workers are expected to infuse about $471 million into Guam's economy, while H-2 workers are anticipated to infuse about $294 million," Cruz said in his letter.

He said the decision to use H-2 workers represents a loss of hundreds of millions of dollars that otherwise would've contributed to Guam's economy.

Bordallo's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent to her office Thursday.

Though Guam is exempt from the national annual cap on the hiring of foreign workers, the labor regulations require employers to hire local workers first.

For example, before employers file an application, they have to put out an advertisement and make efforts to recruit locally before applying to Guam's Department of Labor to hire foreign labor.

The Guam Contractors Association Trades Academy continues to train and prepare residents for thousands of construction jobs anticipated with the buildup.

But officials have said companies still will have to hire from off island because there aren't enough skilled construction workers to hire locally.

PNC :: Resolution Calls DEIS "Grossly Flawed"

PNC :: Resolution Calls DEIS "Grossly Flawed"

Friday, 12 February 2010

Guam - Resolution 275 calls the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the planned military buildup, "grossly flawed."

The resolution details the legislatures objections to the impact of the military buildup and provides a list of "essential elements," un-related to the buildup, "that must be favorably resolved."

The list includes the right to self determination, the return of ancestral lands, war reparations and other issues.

Read Resolution 275
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/images/pdf/resforobama.pdf

The resolution will be taken to Washington D.C. next month by a group of Guam Senators who hope to be able to present it to the U.S. Congress and President Obama.

Written by : Kevin Kerrigan

PNC :: Legislature Passes Buildup Resolution

PNC :: Legislature Passes Buildup Resolution

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Guam - The Guam Legislature unanimously passed a resolution Thursday afternoon, which functions as the official comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement from the body.

The resolution is authored by Senator Rory Respicio, Senator Judith Guthertz, and Speaker Judi Won Pat. All other senators are co-sponsors. Resolution No. 275 outlines many concerns raised about the DEIS and makes recommendations for Congress to address long-standing local issues in light of the coming military buildup.

A delegation of Senators are planning to present the resolution personally in Washington D.C. in March.

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle worked together to agree on the language included in the resolution. Two days of working sessions were conducted, allowing the body to come to a consensus on the important document. Among the issues requested to be addressed are:

· Self-determination

· Unreturned ancestral lands

· War reparations

· Inclusion in the Supplemental Security Income program

· Exemption from the Jones Act

· Removal of caps from Medicaid and all federally mandated public assistance programs

· Full reimbursement for impact costs as a result of the Compacts of Free Association

· Cleaning-up of environmental hazards that were created or augmented by the federal government

· Full participation in economic stimulus legislation

· Establishment of a secure Guam-only visa waiver program

· Inclusion of the Philippines, Russia and China in the Visa-Waiver Program

· Reimbursement for Earned Income Tax Credits paid or owed

The Legislature also asserted a number of findings it is requesting to be honored:

* Executive and Congressional intervention mandating the Department of Defense present a revised DEIS that can be reviewed and commented on
* Reconcile inconsistencies with DoD studies and those from the General Accountability office regarding the military buidup
* Establish a Civil-Military Advisory Council
* Asses the need for an omnibus appropriations bill addressing the needs of the buildup
* Conduct a proper and accurate assessment on the additional revenue that will be collected as a result of the buildup
* Allow the reimbursement of all Medicare and Medicaid costs incurred by U.S.-accredited health care facilities in the Republic of the Facilities
* Create a full fledged U.S. Veterans Affairs Office
* Allow Guam to control its Exclusive Economic Zone

Written by : News Release

Camacho asks Defense to slow buildup

Camacho asks Defense to slow buildup

By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno • gdumat-ol@guampdn.com • January 30, 2010

Saying Guam simply can't absorb the shock of a population surge in four years, Gov. Felix Camacho is asking the Defense Department to relocate about 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents to Guam in eight years instead of four.

Rather than completing the Marines' relocation from Okinawa to Guam by 2014, Camacho is requesting the Defense Department for a phase-in time extending through 2018.

"I believe that a request for an extension would help lessen the impact of the military buildup on Guam. In fact, during our village workshop on Jan. 20, I expressed my intention to ask the United States to consider extending their deadline for the buildup," according to Camacho.

"The extension will greatly impact every area of public concern. It will lessen the pressure currently being placed on our people to accommodate a significant influx in our population," the governor added.

Camacho on Thursday wrote to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus requesting the delay.

Guam's population is expected to soar -- with 79,178 additional people in 2014, an increase of almost half the current population. And as the population increases, the military buildup is expected to create 33,000 new jobs by 2014, according to the military's draft Environmental Impact Statement. In 2014 alone, the government of Guam would see $325 million in additional revenue -- an increase of about 60 percent of its current annual budget, according to the impact statement.

Island residents have until mid-February to comment on the draft EIS.

The proposed delay in the completion of the Marines' move, according to the governor, "will lessen the impact on our territory, to give us more time to make preparations, and that affects everything from the number of wells that need to be drilled, the number of workers that need to be here at a certain time."

The island also needs more time to expand the island's only commercial port of entry for construction materials for the military buildup, according to the governor.

"I don't have a set date, but I think that moving it beyond 2014 to even 2018, a four-year push, would be better for us. It is a more sustained growth. There's no peak and a bust," Camacho said in an interview yesterday.

There will be no post-buildup recession as predicted in the draft impact statement, he added.

David Leddy, president of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, said the governor's request is consistent with the Defense Department's revisions to the buildup timetable.

"We think a delay is good for the island as it will afford us more time to assimilate the changes that are coming forth and for more of our local businesses to participate," Leddy said.

Gerry Perez, a member of the initial group of Guam Chamber officials who started knocking on doors in Washington, D.C., almost a decade ago to invite the military to expand its presence on Guam as the island faced an economic downturn starting with the economic crisis, said yesterday Guam also needs to consider America's national security interests.

Voicing his personal opinion, Perez, who also is the Guam Visitors Bureau general manager, said: "I can say that our original objective of attracting a larger military footprint to expand our economic base, provide local employment, and stimulate other economic activity was a success."

"The key question now before the island's leadership is how best to negotiate and harness this military buildup opportunity in a manner that benefits the local community while satisfying our national security interests," Perez said.

"Quite frankly, it is the reality of funding, capacity constraints, and the timely resolution of differences in the magnitude and dispersal of this (military expansion footprint) that will ultimately determine the buildup schedule, whether in 2014 or beyond," Perez said.

The relocation of Marines from Okinawa to Guam is part of a Japan-United States pact to reduce the presence of U.S. troops in Okinawa.

Japan has agreed to pay $6 billion of the $10.2 billion relocation cost under an agreement that was finalized last year -- before a new set of Japanese elected leaders came into office.

Later last year, however, some of the newly elected leaders in Japan began to suggest they want all U.S. troops out of Okinawa completely. In recent weeks, Japan officials hinted they may ask for the bilateral agreement to be renegotiated.

The relocation of Marines to Guam is part of a broader military expansion plan on Guam, which includes building an Army missile defense facility, and accommodations and wharf facilities for recurring visits of an aircraft carrier or two, according to preliminary military plans.

Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz and Delegate Madeleine Bordallo both have written letters in support of extending the amount of time residents can comment on the buildup's draft impact statement.

Without the granting of the 45-day extension request, Guam residents have until Feb. 18, Guam time, to comment. The deadline to comment is Feb. 17, Washington time.

Bordallo was unavailable for comment yesterday. The Defense Department's Joint Guam Program Office, which coordinates buildup issues, did not have an immediate comment.

Sen. Judith Guthertz also has called for the Marines' move to be stretched "over a period of eight years instead of only two years."

The island would have to accommodate not only the Marines and their dependents, but also workers from off island who will contribute to the population boom.

"We reported on the availability of workforce housing and all of the Guam Land Use Commission's approval of all those properties in terms of the needs of the H2 workforce," said Department of Land Management Director Chris Duenas.

He said the agency presented more than 130 comments on the draft EIS to the governor's office.

The department also visited JGPO officials and requested a discussion between JGPO, the governor's office and the Legislature.

"The military and JGPO should go to the governor's office and the Legislature to discuss the possibilities of what they would do in terms of land exchange and what that would mean for the people of Guam."

The department has been working with the Chamorro Land Trust and the Ancestral Land Commissions to ensure they all have the correct inventory on the properties on Guam, Duenas said.

Land use resolution sees much support

Land use resolution sees much support

Posted: Jan 22, 2010 3:37 PM
by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Resolution 258 received overwhelming support on session floor. The measure introduced by chairperson of the Legislative Committee on the Guam Military Buildup, Senator Judi Guthertz, would express to the feds the legislature opposition to the use of condemnation as a means to acquire property for the buildup of troops locally.

"Private landowners should have the right to do what they want with their land say yes if they wish to lease it and say no if they don't wish to lease it or sell it and the Government of Guam must have the same freedom when it comes to public land whether its ancestral lands, CLTC or crown land, and so colleagues I offer...the local government already controls 25% of our properties, the Department of Defense already controls 27% of our properties here on this island as far as I'm concerned not only am I against eminent domain or condemnation, I'm against any further taking of any additional properties by the federal government, not one square inch," said Guthertz.

Senator Eddie Calvo added that the 40,000 acres the DoD currently owns is more than ample for whatever purposes are required for the military buildup.

We say "NO!" now!

Spanish Occupation, Japanese Invasion and Being Owned by a Nation. The Chamorro people are struggling to save whats left of their language, their culture, their blood and their land.

Videographer - Cara Flores
Editor - Jason Triplett

Latest DEIS hearing in Yigo

Latest DEIS hearing in Yigo

Posted: Jan 11, 2010 10:52 PM PST
by Nick Delgado

Guam - As the military begins to wrap up their public hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, residents it seems are just getting started raising their voices against the proposed military buildup.

"Do you see what they are doing? This is exactly like recruiting," said Jason Ray Tedtaotao. "They use forums and persuasion, we see benefits and temptation, but the thought of our future should cause us hesitation, it should make us ask questions. Like why are the people who call this land home, the same people up here giving reasons for you not to take it."

Tempers were high for most who provided input on the DEIS, specifically on the military's plans to acquire more land for the Marine relocation. Residents expressed disappointment, saying the military should rather build inside the existing base. That was the argument presented by Sasayan Valley landowner Gloria Nelson.

She said, "There is only my decision that you will find another place that you already own to have your firing range, throw grenades and dump your toxic waste on. There is no compromise because this is not about money. There is no market value for something that is not on the market."

Nelson says she will continue to say no when it comes to the military asking for land to accommodate the buildup. She also argues the one Guam slogan as she feels that the DEIS is not a unified document. While some use the words "a dumb deal" when describing the DEIS, Senator Ben Pangelinan says the federal government from the beginning has purposely given wrong and misdirected information on the buildup.

"If General [David] Bice says we decided to move the firing range from Finegayan because you told us you don't want us shooting at you tourists and at your fishermen, and we're listening to you. Well, listen to me General Bice: I don't want you desecrating those ancestral burial grounds, I don't want you bombing and shooting spirits of ancestors that rest in Pagat. Listen, listen, listen," he said.

But out of the bunch who testified against the buildup, resident Mark Sablan says he is in favor of the Marines relocation as the island is in need of more skilled and educated workers. "Let's go ahead and raise the opportunity and give a chance to see if this military buildup can provide jobs," he said.

A total of 66 participants signed up to voice their concerns, some even giving up their spot and allowing others to use their time. Although the hearing went late into the night, some residents tell KUAM News that they were in fact turned away from providing comment on the document. The problem they say is that there is just not enough time during these hearings to do so.

Participants are being given three minutes to provide comment. Another public hearing gets underway at seven o'clock this evening.

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.

Tiyan Taskforce wants land return bill changed: Landowners ask for a set timeline for Ancestral Lands to process cases

Tiyan Taskforce wants land return bill changed: Landowners ask for a set timeline for Ancestral Lands to process cases

By Laura Matthews • Pacific Sunday News • January 10, 2010

A group of Tiyan landowners met yesterday to discuss Bill 278-30, which they believe must include a second section in order for the heirs of original landowners to stand a chance of receiving their estates.

Benny Crawford, chairman of the Tiyan Taskforce, said at a meeting held yesterday at Christ Bible Fellowship Church in Upper Tumon that the second section must include specific language that states how long the Ancestral Lands Commission will take to process each landowner's case and issue the deeds.

A public hearing will be held on the matter on Jan. 14 at the Legislature, where Tiyan landowners hope to persuade senators to move forward with the land exchange.

"Specific language is important with the government of Guam because if it isn't, we will never get anywhere," Crawford said. "It has to be specific for it to happen."

The one-section Bill 278-30 consists of seven lines that identify parcels of land in the Tiyan area that are pending return to the original landowners or their heirs. However, former Sen. Pete Perez said the weakness in the measure is that it doesn't provide any mechanism to transfer the land back to the heirs.

Perez, who is also an attorney assisting the Tiyan Taskforce, told the landowners that without any specific wording or language, it could be some time before they get the land.

"If you are going to rely simply on that measure, I can assure everyone here that you will never see a square inch of land," Perez said. "The one-section bill says nothing about actually returning any land to any of you. ... It is up to everyone here to come out and say the measure doesn't go far enough."

Crawford said he hopes a specification of 180 days will be made as a timeline for the return of the land. He added that the Tiyan Taskforce has identified 49 landowners for the roughly 800 acres of land in question.

Ronald T. Laguana, who is representing one of seven heirs to Lot 2156, said he believes adding specific language to the document will assist the landowners in reacquiring the land.

"The language should be included that these lands be identified by the list of names of the original landowners, if possible," Laguana said.

CLTC meets with JGPO reps

CLTC meets with JGPO reps

Posted: Jan 06, 2010 9:58 PM PST
by Nick Delgado

Guam - Representatives from the Joint Guam Program Office, including Executive Director David Bice, made the rounds today at several Government of Guam agencies including the Ancestral Lands Commission, the Department of Land Management, and the Chamorro Land Trust Commission.

Chamorro Land Trust Commission Administrator Jess Garcia says the visits were courtesy calls, an opportunity for the officials to introduce themselves and lay out the flow of communication that will take place between the agencies and the military.

"All information that's going to come out of the Chamorro Land Trust regarding Chamorro Land Trust interests will be released by Bureau of Statistics and Plans - Tony Lamorena will be the one to release all information on government issues. And that's pretty much it that we discussed," Garcia said.

Commission on Decolonization Office Still Closed

Commission on Decolonization Office Still Closed



Guam - The commission on decolonization is still closed. Since Monday PNC news has made attempts to get in contact with staff at the commission.

Yesterday we paid a visit to the office which is actually located right next to the Ancestral Lands Commission and found that it was closed up behind these aluminum shutters. The door had a closed sign on the front and the lights in the office were off. We eventually made contact with a full-time staffer via cell phone. She informed us that she was at a Doctors appointment and would be in today however we again found the office was closed. We also discovered that the commisssion's director Jim Underwood had resigned since September of 2009 and has yet to be replaced. Speaker Wonpat even sent a letter to the governor's office requesting a new appointment however she has yet to receive a response. Commission member Jose Garrido also told PNC news in an interview that the commission hasn't even had a meeting due to a lack of a quorum since 2003. Meanwhile we made repeated checks to the office today found that it again remained closed.

Written by :
Clynt Ridgell

Huge crowd at Resolution 258's public hearing

Huge crowd at Resolution 258's public hearing

Posted: Dec 28, 2009 10:55 PM PST
by Nick Delgado

Guam - It was a packed house at the Guam Legislature's Public Hearing Room this morning as dozens of people came out to testify in support of Resolution 258 that opposes the use of condemnation for the purpose of obtaining Guam lands for the military buildup.

While the Department of Defense currently possesses nearly 30% of land on the island, it was apparent by the emotional testimony provided today that there are many island residents who aren't just concerned about the impacts the Marines' relocation will have on our community, but to their livelihoods and land.

Emotions ran high during today's public hearing as residents expressed their frustration with the possibility of land condemnation, as well as their support for the resolution that would prevent the feds from taking their land. "I the landowners say I'm sorry, my land is not for sale, you need to respect that. If the government says the land is not available because it's committed for something else, they need to respect that. But they have to work together to find alternatives, too," said Senator Judi Guthertz.

She is the author of Resolution 258 and chaired today's hearing. The senator pointed out the areas the military plans to use for its main base as stated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Those areas which are currently non-DoD property include 680 acres of the former FAA housing area, 326 more acres in what's called the Harmon Annex, and the biggest piece of 921 acres of land along Route 15. All which are under private or GovGuam owners today.

"These plans are in the best interest of Americans in the states. When will our best interests be considered? You must consider our best interests now!" proclaimed GovGuam retiree Gloria Nelson.

She argued island leaders are not doing enough, and that due to its lack of unity it seems like leaders are willing to give away the future of our children to the highest bidder. "We cannot stand by idly as our cultural resources, our homes and the futures of our children are trampled upon, given away or sold to those who do not truly value it. We have the right to control our lands and our destinies for the sake of our children," she added.

Superior Court Judge Steven Unpingco objecting to the possibility of land condemnation spoke on his personal capacity as a landowner of the Sasayan Valley. Unpingco saying there is no need for the military to acquire non-Department of Defense land as he believes the military has sufficient land to accommodate the buildup. "DoD owns approximately 40,000 acres comprised of 27% of Guam's total land mass...there are serious public concerns on the proposed activity to conduct live fire training facility in the Sasayan Valley."

Vice-Speaker BJ Cruz, meanwhile, wants more in the community to voice their concerns with the buildup, especially any and all concerns they have with his measure which would have left the option of the Marines relocation up to the people of Guam. "All of you need to get up and tell them no! I am diametrically opposed to the buildup. It's not an issue of whether or not I want to deny any of you but Bill 66 is only as it relates to the CLTC and the ancestral lands that's the only thing we have control of."

General Manager of the Guam Racing Federation Henry Simpson who also testified is still waiting to find out when, and if military will condemn the land at the entire Guam International Raceway Park for a single shooting range. The park is CLTC property, and Simpson recalls the military telling him that the land would just be convenient.

He said, "I don't think they've done a very good job at looking at all their options. I think it should be a lot ore inconvenient they could live with the property they've got they could fulfill their mission with the property they've got and they could it and do it safely it may cost them more money it may not be as convenient for them but they could do it."

But there was one person, local businessman James Adkins, who showed more support for the military buildup. "I don't think anyone has come up with an alternative to the military coming here. If you have, I would love to hear it, because we have looked everywhere to find other businesses and industries to come here," he said.

But right after, residents expressed their disagreement with Adkins, as well as challenged the senators to act on the plans the military has moving forward.

Indian tribes buy back thousands of acres of land

Indian tribes buy back thousands of acres of land

By TIMBERLY ROSS, Associated Press Writer Timberly Ross, Associated Press Writer – Sun Dec 27, 1:42 pm ET

OMAHA, Neb. – Native American tribes tired of waiting for the U.S. government to honor centuries-old treaties are buying back land where their ancestors lived and putting it in federal trust.

Native Americans say the purchases will help protect their culture and way of life by preserving burial grounds and areas where sacred rituals are held. They also provide land for farming, timber and other efforts to make the tribes self-sustaining.

Tribes put more than 840,000 acres — or roughly the equivalent of the state of Rhode Island — into trust from 1998 to 2007, according to information The Associated Press obtained from the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs under the Freedom of Information Act.

Those buying back land include the Winnebago, who have put more than 700 acres in eastern Nebraska in federal trust in the past five years, and the Pawnee, who have 1,600 acres of trust land in Oklahoma. Land held in federal trust is exempt from local and state laws and taxes, but subject to most federal laws.

Three tribes have bought land around Bear Butte in South Dakota's Black Hills to keep it from developers eager to cater to the bikers who roar into Sturgis every year for a raucous road rally. About 17 tribes from the Dakotas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana and Oklahoma still use the mountain for religious ceremonies.

Emily White Hat, a member of South Dakota's Rosebud Sioux, said the struggle to protect the land is about "preservation of our culture, our way of life and our traditions."

"All of it is connected," White Hat said. "With your land, you have that relationship to the culture."

Other members of the Rosebud Sioux, such as president Rodney Bordeaux, believe the tribes shouldn't have to buy the land back because it was illegally taken. But they also recognize that without such purchases, the land won't be protected.

No one knows how much land the federal government promised Native American tribes in treaties dating to the late 1700s, said Gary Garrison, a spokesman for the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. The government changed the terms of the treaties over the centuries to make property available to settlers and give rights-of-way to railroads and telegraph companies.

President Barack Obama's administration has proposed spending $2 billion to buy back and consolidate tribal land broken up in previous generations. The program would pay individual members for land interests divided among their relatives and return the land to tribal control. But it would not buy land from people outside the tribes.

Today, 562 federally recognized tribes have more than 55 million acres held in trust, according to the bureau. Several states and local governments are fighting efforts to add to that number, saying the federal government doesn't have the authority to take land — and tax revenue — from states.

In New York, for example, the state and two counties filed a federal lawsuit in 2008 to block the U.S. Department of Interior from putting about 13,000 acres into trust for the Oneida Tribe. In September, a judge threw out their claims.

Putting land in trust creates a burden for local governments because they must still provide services such as sewer and water even though they can't collect taxes on the property, said Elaine Willman, a member of the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance and administrator for Hobart, a suburb of Green Bay, Wis. Hobart relies mostly on property taxes to pay for police, water and other services, but the village of about 5,900 lost about a third of its land to a trust set up for the state's Oneida Tribe, Willman said.

So far, Hobart has been able to control spending and avoid cuts in services or raising taxes, Willman said. Village leaders hope taxes on a planned 603-acre commercial development will eventually help make up for the lost money.

The nonprofit White Earth Land Recovery Project has bought back or been gifted hundreds of acres in northwestern Minnesota since it was created in the late 1980s. The White Earth tribe uses the land to harvest rice, farm and produce maple syrup. Members have hope of one day being self-sustaining again.

Winona LaDuke, who started the White Earth project, said buying property is expensive, but it's the quickest and easiest way for tribes to regain control of their land.

Tribal membership has been growing thanks to higher birth rates, longer life spans and more relaxed qualifications for membership, and that has created a greater need for land for housing, community services and economic development.

"If the tribes were to pursue return of the land in the courts it would be years before any action could result in more tribal land ... and the people simply cannot wait," said Cris Stainbrook, of the Little Canada, Minn.-based Indian Land Tenure Foundation.

Thirty to 40 tribes are making enough money from casinos to buy back land, but they also have to put money into social programs, education and health care for their members, said Robert J. Miller, a professor at the Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Ore., who specializes in tribal issues.

"Tribes just have so many things on their plate," he said.

Some tribes, such as the Pawnee, have benefited from gifts of land. Gaylord and Judy Mickelsen donated a storefront in Dannebrog, Neb., that had been in Judy Mickelsen's family for a century. The couple was retiring to Mesquite, Nev., in 2007, and Judy Mickelsen wanted to see the building preserved even though the town had seen better days.

The tribe has since set up a shop selling members' artwork in the building on Main Street.

"We were hoping the Pawnee could get a toehold here and get a new venture for the village of Dannebrog," Gaylord Mickelsen said.

Lack of consultation results in wrong info

Lack of consultation results in wrong info

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 00:40
by Mar-Vic Cagurangan | Variety News Staff

THE draft environmental impact statement contains some inaccurate information about Guam because military planners failed to engage local participation during the assessment process, according to Henry Simpson, president of Guam Racing Federation.

Simpson pointed specifically to the proposed layout of the Marines’ firing range project on Route 15, which marked the Yigo Raceway Park as an “abandoned raceway park.”

“No one even bothered to ask me if it is indeed abandoned. Have they consulted us, they would have found out that the Yigo raceway is not an abandoned facility,” Simpson said.

“I wasn’t aware of this map layout until somebody came up to me and said ‘sorry that you’re going to lose the race park.’ That had me concerned,” he added.

The Navy is seeking to secure undeveloped properties on Route 15, commonly known as “Andy South,” to build a training complex for live and inert munitions practice and that requires safety buffers, known as surface danger zones and special use airspace. The properties are also being eyed as a possible site for aviation training and exercises for landing and takeoffs.

Most of the properties in the target area are part of the Chamorro Ancestral Lands Commission’s inventory. The racing federation is leasing a government property where the race track is situated.

Simpson said the raceway federation is seeking audience with the Navy officials to discuss possible options that include allowing the race track to stay in the area, which is a safe distance away from the firing direction.

“We can be good neighbors. We’re tying to get the military to embrace the race track as a recreation for troops who will come to Guam,” Simpson said.

But the military must propose a relocation site for the race track if it is bent on acquiring the property where the race facility is located, Simpson said.

“If they really need this area, we are willing to move out. But they should come up with a mitigation plan. Unfortunately, no one is talking to us,” Simpson said. “We don’t want this to be an adverse issue with the military but we don’t want them to run us over.”

Guthertz Suggests Minor Change to Cruz's Military Buildup Vote Bill

Guthertz Suggests Minor Change to Cruz's Military Buildup Vote Bill

Guam - Senator Judi Guthertz says that she has no problem with Vice-Speaker BJ Cruz's bill that would create a voter referendum on the military buildup.

Senator Guthertz says it's important for the Department of Defense to know how the people of Guam feel. She does however have some reservations with a section of the bill that asks what people think of leasing CLTC land or returning Ancestral lands. According to Guthertz questions surrounding the use of CLTC and Ancestral lands should be reserved for the indigenous Chamorro people. Vice-speaker Cruz's bill would allow the people of Guam to vote on whether or not they support the military buildup.

Written by :
Clynt Ridgell

PNC :: Vice Speaker Calls For Approval of Special Election On Buildup

PNC :: Vice Speaker Calls For Approval of Special Election On Buildup

Sunday, 06 December 2009

Guam - Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz has issued a report that calls for passage of his Bill No. 66 which calls for a special election on the military buildup.

The bill had a public hearing on July 16.

It would require a special election to determine whether residents support the military buildup and the leasing of lands administered by the Ancestral Lands Commission and the Chamorro Land Trust to accommodate the military expansion.

Since the Department of the Navy's release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement Last month, Vice Speaker Cruz feels the public is now better informed to vote on the issue.

Having the public vote on the buildup is of even greater importance now as the DEIS reveals greater impacts and fewer returns than residents were led to believe.

Vice Speaker Cruz wrote in his report on Bill No. 66, "The people of Guam must be afforded the opportunity to voice their support or opposition beyond merely commenting on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement ... Many who previously supported the proposed buildup now are rethinking their stance."

Among the reasons the Vice Speaker cites for the need for a vote on the buildup are the population increase beyond initial projections, the drain on natural resources, the amount of land the military proposes to acquire, and the negative impact on Guam's marine environment.

Written by : News Release