Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero's request to pause construction near the Serianthes nelsonii tree at the live-fire training range complex was denied.

Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, Joint Region Marianas commander, rejected the request in a letter last week, stating that current protective measures are adequate.

"It is a testament to military stewardship that the population of this species which used to be distributed on Guam has only been able to survive on a military installation," Chatfield stated. "Let me assure you that our mutual goal for protecting this tree, its saplings and the (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) approved forest buffer has already been met by permanently distancing the multi-purpose machine gun range sufficiently away."

In late June, Leon Guerrero requested that construction nearest to the tree at the live-fire training range complex, at the multi-purpose machine gun range, be paused until December, in order to receive DNA reports on the tree.

"Regardless of the research findings, the Serianthes nelsonii adult tree and outplanted seedlings remain fully protected with protective measures in place," Chatfield's letter states.

The governor's office has not provided comment as of press time Monday.

Sen. Therese Terlaje said the Navy's statement represents a theme in Guam's history.

"The Navy saying it cannot avoid land takings, environmental harm or contamination and loss of Chamorro cultural heritage sites on our tiny island is a repeat of old patterns in Guam’s tragic history," Terlaje said. "I hope the governor will stand firm and protect these irreplaceable 159 acres adjacent to Ritidian, a small fraction of over 6,000 acres of limestone forest and numerous cultural sites the Navy has already begun to clear."

Requests for a pause beyond the tree

Senators and local organizations requested a pause beyond only the endangered tree; 13 out of 15 senators, in a resolution, and more than 20 community groups, at a meeting with the governor, demanded a pause across the entire live-fire training range complex.

Victoria Diaz, a member of Mañe’lon Marianas, is disappointed by the news. Mañe’lon Marianas is one of the groups that met with the governor.

"It shows the lack of respect the military has for our official leaders who represent the people who live here and intend to die here," Diaz said. "I also feel this could be a symbol of us last ones still standing for this fight for justice to our land and native species of plants that make our home what it is."

Senators' and community groups' requests followed numerous discoveries of ancient artifacts across Marine Corps properties in May and June. Nine discoveries have been made since December.

The resolution asking for the pause is not about supporting or opposing the buildup, Sen. Telena Nelson said at a public hearing last week. It's about pausing construction due to the numerous discoveries of ancient artifacts. The pause would allow a thorough investigation into the entirety of the complex.

The military, as per the 2011 Programmatic Agreement, has stopped construction and flagged off sites where discoveries were made, and will remove archaeologically valuable content and preserve it off-site. Overall construction at the live-fire training range complex continues.

'Going to the U.S. Senate'

The fear, Terlaje said at a public hearing last week, is that the ongoing construction outside of the flagged off sites will potentially destroy more historic properties.

Nelson said last week if the military says no to a proposed pause, the case for a pause will not rest.

"Really, it's a matter of going to the U.S. Senate," she said.

Nelson could not be reached Monday due to being on military duty.

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