Commercial quarrying proposal for CHamoru land defeated

By Jayvee Vallejera

Acting Gov. Joshua Tenorio has vetoed a bill that would have allowed commercial quarrying operations on 60 acres of CHamoru lands in Fadian Point, but Guam activists warn the fight is not over yet, despite an assurance from the bill's author that he would not pursue an override.

Bill 37-8, which is tied to ongoing military construction projects on Guam, states that the construction industry now requires approximately 1.5 million cubic yards of limestone aggregate per year.

The land in question is located between the Gloria B. Nelson Public Service Building and the coastline.

The proposed quarrying operation is estimated to earn the CHamoru Land Trust Commission $1 million per year over the next six years.

In his veto message, Tenorio raised his “grave concerns” about Bill 7-38, saying it would run counter to previous decisions by the legislature to preserve Guam's limestone habitat.

He pointed out that preserving limestone forest land is necessary to meet the requirements of a habitat conservation plan that Guam is working on with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Having that plan approved would streamline the permitting process for landowners and developers, Tenorio said.

Creating a quarry on the Fadian property would likely result in Guam not getting that habitat plan approved, he said.

“I am further concerned that removing the limestone forest would also increase the sediment runoff into the water along the coastline,” he added.

Tenorio also pointed out that amending the law to allow the creation of the quarry would potentially violate a settlement agreement between the U.S. and the Guam government, and the bill itself does not authorize the CLTC to take any action that it could not already take.

Prutehi Guåhan earlier expressed concern that land clearing and building a quarry at the Fadian site would endanger Guam’s water aquifer in the northern part of the island and disturb sacred sites, as well as crucial habitats for endangered and endemic species. It warned that this will also cut off Guam residents with ancestral ties to the area.

“Concerned residents should continue reaching out to our legislature to remind them that the people want to protect Guåhan lands and uphold the mission of the Chamorro Land Trust,” Prutehi Guåhan said.

Joe San Agustin

In a statement on Monday, San Agustin said he would not pursue an override.

"Despite the positive financial and landform gains the CLTC will benefit [from], I will not pursue an override of the veto. I am confident that the CLTC will work toward getting more lands leased to our families with the resources they have," he said.

San Agustin’s bill describes the Fadian property as "inaccessible and undevelopable," but it has quality limestone aggregate for construction purposes. It said a section was previously quarried for the construction of Route 15 during the 1960s.

Prutehi Guåhan welcomed the bill’s veto and thanked the administration for this decision. It credits the hundreds of residents who participated in recent demonstrations and a letter-writing campaign to request that Bill 7-38 not be passed into law.

“Prutehi Guåhan also acknowledges the community groups on our island who worked to advance this issue,” the group said.

“Because residents chose to take action, another step was taken toward the protection of CHamoru lands. …Our community’s advocacy has also sent a clear message about our people’s refusal to support actions that make our home more vulnerable to the effects of climate change," it added.

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