FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 9, 2025
Hagåtña, Guam – The Office of the Governor of Guam is inviting the public to review and comment on a Draft Programmatic Agreement (PA) between the Commander, Joint Region Marianas (CJRM) and the Guam State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) regarding Department of Defense undertakings on the Island of Guam. The Draft PA establishes an overall framework for how CJRM will fulfill its responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) when planning, reviewing, and carrying out military projects and activities on Department of Defense lands on Guam. It is intended to ensure that military readiness and national defense requirements are carried out in a manner that protects and respects Guam’s historic and cultural resources, traditional CHamoru lifeways, and important cultural sites.
“This public comment process is a key opportunity for the community to help shape how these responsibilities are carried out in the years ahead,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Guam’s story is carried in our land, our heritage, and the voices of our people. This Draft Programmatic Agreement gives our community a real chance to guide how future military activities respect and protect what matters most to us. I encourage everyone to read it, speak up, and share your knowledge. Your comments will help shape decisions that affect our cultural sites, our families, and the island we are building for the next generation.”
The Draft PA would:
● Apply to Department of Defense undertakings on Guam within CJRM’s Area of Responsibility that are not already covered by other existing programmatic agreements (such as the 2011 Guam Buildup PA and the 2020 testing and training PA);
● Replace and supersede the 2008 Programmatic Agreement for Navy undertakings on Guam;
● Establish procedures for archaeological review, treatment of historic buildings and structures, inadvertent discoveries, and human remains;
● Provide for the development and use of archaeological sensitivity maps, public access planning for culturally important sites on DoD lands, and regular reporting and consultation with the SHPO.
Public Comment Period – 30 Days The public comment period will be open for 30 days from the date of this announcement. During this time, residents, community organizations, cultural practitioners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the Draft PA and submit written comments.
How to Access the Draft PA The Draft Programmatic Agreement and information on how to submit comments are available at:
● OpenGov Guam – Community Defense Liaison Office (CDLO) News: https://go.opengovguam.com/news/cdlo
Submitting Comments Residents, community organizations, cultural practitioners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments to the Guam SHPO via email at patrick.lujan@dpr.guam.gov. Members of the public are encouraged to:
● Identify specific sections or provisions of the Draft PA they support, have concerns about, or wish to see amended;
● Provide suggested language or recommendations where possible; and
● Share information about cultural sites, traditional practices, or community concerns that should be considered in implementing the agreement.
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