Topic: Natural Resources Committee Briefing on CMTF Guam Build-up


Overall Information:

The natural resources subcommittee will focus its attention on coral reef ecosystems and associated biological communities, terrestrial ecosystems, cultural and archaeological resources, invasive species, watershed ecosystems, migratory birds, wildlife, endangered species and their habitats, protected species, marine mammals, direct, and cumulative and secondary impacts to the natural environment.  The subcommittee was form in November 2007. The natural resource subcommittee members include the following: the Bureau of Statistics and Plans- Guam Coastal Management Program, the Department of Agriculture – Division of Aquatics and Wildlife Resources, Forestry and Soil Resources, the Guam Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Parks and Recreation- Historic Resources Division, Department of Customs and Quarantine, Department of Interior-Fish and Wildlife Services, NOAA-National Marine Fisheries, USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Services,  Services, Guam Preservation Trust, The Nature Conservancy, National Invasive Species Council, Department of Defense – Navy and Air Force, Army Corps of Engineers and other critical stakeholders.

Developing Subcommittee Strategy:

The Natural Resources Subcommittee has contracted Randal Sablan Environmental Inc., to develop a natural resources strategy.  The strategy will include a mission and vision statement as well as identify the critical issues and steps to achieving the goals and objectives of the subcommittee.

The subcommittee is reviewing impacts not only to the impact of DOD projects, but impacts resulting from private development.

As part of the Coral Reef Imitative, a sustainable financial plan for natural resources is being conducted.  This financial plan will identify the financial requirements necessary to ensure that Guam natural resources are managed and monitored.

Meetings are schedule monthly.  Next meeting is February 6, 2008.
 
Building Capacity:

The agencies are working with their federal partners to identify in existing spend plans and grants additional funds to meet ensure that the increase capacity needs are funded.  The Chairman and members of the subcommittee met with the staff from the House of Representatives, Armed Services Committee, David Sinecky and Eryn Robinson on 1/12/08 to discuss the capacity needs due to the expected DOD projects. The lack of funding for Compensatory Mitigation was discussed as well as the need to fund local capacity to address the aggressive schedule of DOD for the review of the EIS and the processing of required permits.  Follow up meetings are scheduled in Washington, DC in later Feb. to further discuss the issues with appropriate DOD and Congressional staff.  Attending the meeting was Matthew Herrmann, Legislative Assist to Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo.