by Mindy Aguon

Guam - The Guam State Historic Preservation Office continues their review of the latest draft of the Programmatic Agreement for the relocation of U.S. Marines to Guam. While the office works on a response, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has submitted their comments expressing continued concern about the Navy's decision to put a firing range near the ancient village of Pagat.

In a letter to Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Don Schregardus, ACHP Director Reid Nelson says the Council remains uneasy about the lack of adequate provisions within the PA to consider alternative locations that would avoid, minimize or mitigate adverse effects to Pagat.

The Council also urged the Navy to identify other federal programs and funding sources that could benefit the people of Guam for a museum and cultural center as they believe financing remains conditional until Congress approves.