New sustainability plan calls for more protections for aquifer, conservation

A new long-term sustainability roadmap is being drafted for Guam to address what officials call “converging challenges” from climate change, military expansion and other land use pressures.  During a public hearing for the “Guåhan 2050 Sustainability Plan,” the Bureau of Statistics & Plans shared key policy ideas that could change what future land development can look like for the island. 

A mandated roadmap is laying the groundwork for what the next twenty-five years could look like for land development and protections locally.  It directly addresses pressures the island faces today, from climate change, the high cost of living and the lack of affordable housing. 

Dr. Charles Lester, director of the Ocean and Coastal Policy Center from the University of California at Santa Barbara, is a key consultant who helped draft the plan. He explained, "Guam like many places and particularly smaller islands is facing a lot of converging pressures. We have climate change uh growth pressures particularly related to the military buildup, affordability issues. These things are coming together and we recognize that what we decide today particularly for land use is going to shape generations to come."

Over 700 residents were surveyed islandwide as part of what BSP calls an “extensive engagement” process. This included direct input from village mayors and agency experts. Notably, majority of the residents called for more protections for Guam’s primary drinking water source and undeveloped lands. 

Dr. Lester continued, "73% of the residents supported restrictions over the northern Guam lens aquifer that led directly to policy SC10, which prohibits subdivisions over the aquifer if they can't connect to the sewer or comply with EPA discharge requirements."

"87% of Guam's residents supported the idea of more affordable housing. At the same time, they were supporting conservation over new commercial sprawl. So that's why the plan, as I'll talk about in a little more detail, focuses really on redevelopment of existing sites rather than clearing of new areas."

The majority of the residents surveyed want to protect the aquifer and agricultural lands, while still allowing growth in the right places. Lester adds the plan also recognizes that Guam’s culture is critical to sustainability, noting, "If the plan goes forward, I think people might see real changes in how development looks and feels. It might include, for example, increased use of the CHamoru language and street names and signage, encouragement of CHamoru and Pacific architectural styles in new public and commercial buildings, designated areas within villages for traditional practices like farming, fishing access, weaving, community gathering."

In the meantime, BSP is accepting public comments on the draft plan until March 11. A second public hearing is set for Wednesday, February 25, 6pm at the Dededo Mayor’s Office.