Significant Preservation Accomplishments Summary

Reporting Period: October 1, 2004 to September 30, 2005

Fiscal Year 2005 End of Year Report

Guam Historic Resources Division

(Guam Historic Preservation Office)

Department of Parks and Recreation

The Division in FY 2005 served 1,627 customers; reviewed 44 plans/reports (archaeological, EIA, EA, etc.) and scopes of work; and reviewed 1,372 federal and local project permits and development applications.

Accomplishments reported here are linked to the “Anticipated Activities List,” which is made a part of this Summary in the following pages. The Guam Historic Preservation Office considers any action it accomplishes significant if it furthers the preservation and protection of Guam’s historic properties, and are achieving planned goals. Thus, our accomplishments are all inclusive, and they are:

1. Administration Program Area (Goals One, Three, and Four)

The Division recruited a Computer Database Librarian in August 2004. The Librarian is currently restructuring and developing databases in Access for the Review and Compliance Program, Guam and National registers, Guam Historic Properties Inventory, Equipment Inventory, Site Inspections, incoming and outgoing correspondence. Librarian will continue to improve on existing databases and develop others as needed for other program areas.

Librarian received training in Beginning and Intermediate Access at the University of Guam.

The Division submitted a Project Notification for Arc-View GIS assessment of needs and on-site (HP Office) training. The Project is pending NPS approval.

2. Planning Program Area (Goals One and Two)

In August 2005, the Division advertised in a widely circulated local newspaper a Request for Proposals to revise and update Guam’s 1997 Comprehensive Historic Preservation Plan. An offeror was selected, the costs negotiated, and the Project Notifications prepared and transmitted to NPS. Project is pending NPS approval.

The project when approved and activated will generate public interest. The Division will make every effort to include public involvement in the plan’s preparation.

3. Survey and Inventory Program Area (Goals One, Three and Four)

Five (5) surveys are currently on-going: the Survey of (Immediate) Post World War II Resettlement Villages; Survey of Toto Latte; Re-Survey of Gadao’s Cave, A National Register Site; Survey of Sinajana World War II Japanese Cave Fortification; and the Re-Survey of Agana Historic District, A National Register Site. The purpose of these surveys is to update site inventory data and register data.

The Aga-Tongan Survey will be completed in FY 2006.

The Division still maintains an NPS-qualified consultant archaeologist. The Consultant has been performing the required function such as reviewing archaeological reports, EIA, EA, and such other reports requiring Section 106 review.

4. National Register Program Area (Goals One, Three and Four)

The Division submitted two nominations on September 30, 2005. Comments on the two nominations, Marine Drive Monument and Asan Patriots of World War II Memorial Monument were received by the National Register Office. The nomination needs to be improved on – following the recommendations of the reviewer.

The Department funded a protection measure by removing a diseased flame tree approximately sixty feet in height, situated thirty feet by a Guam and National registered building. This building has been vandalized numerous times. HPF funded protection measures will be sought in FY 2006.

5. Review and Compliance Program Area (Goals One, Two, Three and Four)

The Division continues to conduct reviews and inspect development sites. Figures on the reviews were noted in the beginning of this summary. The Division has become highly visible due to the increased commercial development projects and rise in construction of residential houses.

Dr. Tom King was contracted to conduct Section 106 training in November 2004. Guam HP Review and Compliance Program staff and various representatives from the greater Micronesia island Historic Preservation Offices were in attendance, including federal and local agency representatives.

6. Other Program Area (Goals Three and Four)

The Division entered into an arrangement with the Guam AmeriCorps program to enroll three AmeriCorps members to “kick-start” the Guam HP Site Steward Program. The members developed and presented their presentation monthly, to diverse groups of audience – from elementary school children to adults. The presentations generated public interest in historic preservation.

Guam HP staff were also requested by the public, school teachers, and government officials to provide a public awareness on historic sites. Lectures and site visits were conducted.

Guam HP staff participated in numerous public events and activites; the staff provided exhibitions during Earth Week and Parks and Recreation Month. The Division assisted in the development of the Guam Tourist Map and the Staywell Calendar for 2006.

The Division’s website is currently being developed. Project received NPS approval by way of Project Notification.

The Department celebrated thirty years of existence in July 2005. The Division coordinated the event and the activities for the month of July.

The Department received funding from the Office of Insular Affairs for the revitalization of Hagåtña Parks. The Guam SHPO is currently the Project Manager. The Project will revitalize the parks by repairing, restoring and rehabilitating 18 historic sites and places of interest. The project will begin March 2006.