Senator Sabina Perez says the public will now have more time to weigh in on how historic and cultural sites on military lands are protected.

The Guam State Historic Preservation Office has granted a 45-day extension to the public comment period for the Draft Programmatic Agreement between Joint Region Marianas and SHPO. 

That brings the total review period to 75 days, with a new deadline of February 18, 2026. Senator Perez requested the extension, citing concerns that the original 30-day window did not allow enough time for meaningful public engagement.

The agreement outlines how the Department of Defense will meet its obligations under the National Historic Preservation Act, including archaeological reviews, treatment of historic properties, procedures for inadvertent discoveries and human remains, and consultation with SHPO. 

Perez is urging cultural practitioners and community members to review the draft and submit comments to SHPO before the new deadline.