Trust isn't betting on DoD reconsidering Pagat

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The National Trust for Historic Preservation isn't too optimistic that the Department of Defense will reconsider its primary decision to put a firing range near Pagat. NTHP director Dr. Anthea Hartig issued a statement on the release of the Record of Decision and the deferred action on the proposal to utilize Route 15 lands. 

Dr. Hartig noting the fine print of the ROD strongly suggests the firing range will proceed near the culturally rich property which would not allow "a meaningful consideration of alternatives to avoid adverse impacts to Pagat."  The village is named one of the 11 most endangered historic places and is a popular destination for hikers, tourists and students. The organization contends the firing range would not only limit access to the site but threaten thousands of years of Chamorro history.

While NTHP retained the legal firm of Sonneschien, Nath and Rosenthal to assist them in their effort to remove Pagat as a proposed site for the firing range, officials say they are still in discussions about whether a lawsuit will be forthcoming.