DOD Allows Community Organizations To Participate In Programmatic Agreement

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Guam – The Department of Defense has changed its position on the Programmatic Agreement. After making major revisions to the document DoD has  now decided to allow other interested parties in on the discussions over how historical sites found during the buildup will be handled.

The Guam Legislature, The Guam State Historic Preservation Office and the National Trust for Historic Preservation have all expressed major concerns with the lack of inclusion of all interested parties.

Previously DOD did not allow groups like “We Are Guahan”, “Fuetsan Famalao’an” and the “Guam Boonie Stompers” to participate.

thursday, in a letter to “We Are Guahan” member Leevin Camacho, DOD announced that it has decided to include these groups. This agreement is something that DOD is eager to have signed as soon as possible.

Wednesday, JGPO Forward Executive Director David Bice had this to say. “The programmatic agreement is part of section 106 consultation process we need to conclude the consultation process prior to completing the Record of Decision.” If the agreement is not signed by Gov Guam Bice says they will have to handle these projects on a case by case basis.