Jessica Cruz The Honorable Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero Maga?haga, Islan Guahan Of?ce of The Governor of Guam Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex 513 West Marine Corps Drive Hagat?a, Guam 96910 RE: Request for a follow?up meeting to discuss military build-up concerns Hafa Adai Governor Leon Guerrero, August 12, 2019 The undersigned organizations and community stakeholders request a follow-up meeting with you to continue our discussion on the tremendous impacts of the military buildup and the current construction taking place. We would like to hear back from you about efforts you have taken since our meeting on June 25, 2019 to learn more about and address the serious concerns that were raised. In light of Rear Admiral Shoshana Chat?eld?s denial of your request for a construction pause before she left her post on the island and the recent discovery of two additional sacred ancestral sites that have brought the total number of sites discovered at (Northwest Field) up to over a dozen since buildup construction began, it is imperative that we continue to meet with you about this urgent issue. We continue to stress that the proposed ?ring range complex is being built in a historically, environmentally and culturally signi?cant location that even the Navy?s environmental impact statement cited as having ADVERSE IMPACTS than any of the other? location alternatives (SEIS: 5-393). Due in large part to the availability of ?esh water and its proximity to the ocean, Litekyan (Ritidian) and surrounding ancient villages like Tailalo? have always been important to our people. The earliest evidence of human habitation on the island is found at Litekyan, where every period of our people?s history can still be traced. Litekyan was so signi?cant in the times of our oldest ancestors that when the Spanish came, they built one of their ?rst churches and a school there. Until the land was condemned by the Navy after World War II, Litekyan was a home and ranch area for the families who are from there -- families, who are still ?ghting to get their lands back. In the eyes of the community, the firing range complex at Tailalo? will never be a reasonable option because of its harmful impacts to the community. We urge you to heed the call of the community to place a complete halt on buildup construction at all sites identi?ed for the ?ring range complex, and not just the area surrounding the Hayun Lagu tree, due to the project?s harm?il impacts and irreversible damage to our people, our culture, our historical past, and our environment, including the potential for contamination to our island?s main source of drinking water. According to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, ?States shall consult and cooperate in good faith with the indigenous peoples concerned through their own representative institutions in order to obtain their ?ee and informed consent prior to the approval of any project affecting their lands or territories and other resources, particularly in connection with the development, utilization or exploitation of mineral, water or other resources.? As of 8 am. on August 5, 2019, 14,780 concerned citizens have signed a petition opposing the construction of the firing range complex because of its harmful impacts to the community 1,580 more signatures than when we met with you last month. Our groups represent a wide range of constituents from Guam, who are committed to protecting our island?s environment, cultural heritage, historical properties, and sacred traditions. We are supported by allies from the C.N.M.I., Okinawa and Hawaii including the Guardians of Gani?, Tinian Women?s Association, Pagan Watch, Alternative Zero Coalition, and the Peace for Okinawa Coalition. In our follow?up meeting, we would like to hear about how you and your administration have been addressing the issues, concerns, and recommendations presented during our last meeting, including: Appointing a special committee or task force, that includes legal advisors, environmentalists, subject?matter experts from our respective government of Guam agencies, community stakeholders and residents to investigate the impact and necessity of the firing range complex, and to report these ?ndings to the community; 0 Providing a status report on Government of Guam oversight of the military buildup including required mitigation measures and on-site ?eld inspections as part of the review of Programmatic Agreement memos and Coastal Zone Management requests, as well as assigning a team of subject-area government agency experts to review the EIS, SEIS, CJMT, MITT, MIRC and PA and share their assessment with the public; 0 Establishing a plan for enhanced local monitoring of impacts to the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer, especially considering the potential for contamination to our island?s main source of drinking water; 0 Accessing future Department of Defense development plans and construction projects that are anticipated on existing bases and installations and establishing policies and procedures for how our local government and people can more effectively review and regulate such plans; 0 Preventing continued desecretation such as the loss of Magua Village and other sites that have been discovered during construction by preserving these historic properties and artifacts in place; 0 Requesting that the military provide a detailed survey map (both in plan and description) of all the historic properties and artifacts found in this significant area we need to know what is there and exactly where it is found, because this area is a signi?cant part of our history that we know so little of and that we have a right to learn more about; 0 Assessing the economic impacts of the buildup and sharing any efforts that have been made to ensure that military contracts and employment bene?t the people of Guam; 0 Conducting village-wide town hall meetings to hear directly from our community on this signi?cant issue We hope to have a continuing dialogue that works to support your efforts to ensure that the genuine securing needs and desires of the people of Guam are prioritized over the interests of the military to expand their presence on our island. For more information and to schedule a meeting, kindly contact Maria Hernandez at hernandezm2086@outlook.com. Kon Respetu, Independent Guahan Litekyan Landowners Prutehi Litekyan Fuetsan Famalao?an Organization of People for Indigenous Rights Nasion CHamoru Haya Foundation Young Men?s League of Guam (YMLG) Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice Our Islands Are Sacred Ma?e?lon Marianas Manhoben Para Guahan Chief Hurao, Inc. Ulitao, Inc. cc: Members of the 35th Guam Legislature Congressman Michael San Nicolas Guam Fishermen's Cooperative Association Duk Duk Goose, Inc. (Nihi!) GCC EcoWarriors Micronesia Climate Change Alliance ChamGlam Botanika Health Shack Z?s Green Canteen Maisa Alternative Zero Coalition Guardians of Gani? Tinian Women?s Association Pagan Watch The Peace for Okinawa Coalition David Lotz