by Heather Hauswirth

Guam - This Sunday the We Are Guahan Coalition is leading a snorkeling educational tour of the prime snorkeling areas in Apra Harbor. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement states that western and jade shoals will be dredged to create space for an aircraft carrier birthing pier in preparation of the military buildup.

Coalition members argue that the harbor is the only protected, deep-water lagoon environment on Guam, and as such, hosts unique reef organisms as well as unique assemblages of corals, and other reef organisms.

Collin Smith is a social studies teacher at Southern High School, as well as a member of We Are Guahan, and says, "Some of it has been dredged before but the impacts of this dredging will not only impact the old dredging but new areas of coral will be damaged so people need to see it and understand what is at stake."

Those interested can contact Cara Mays or Gen Won-Pat Borja if they would like to get on the boat for some snorkeling in Apra Harbor this Sunday, February 7 from 2-5:45. Tour boat riders must pay $15 per person, which includes snorkel gear, water/ice tea, and an educational presentation.