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Guam conservation issues to be reviewed
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Posted on Jun 22 2000
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit yesterday accepted the proposal by Guam Gov. Carl T. Gutierrez to conduct a review of conservation issues on the U.S. territory, according to a statement released by his office.
The groundwork for the proposal was laid when Mr. Gutierrez met with Mr. Babbit on May 11 in Washington D.C. where he proposed a review of environmental and land issues with mutual benefit.
“I accept your proposal to review conservation issues on Guam. These are complex issues and I am cautiously optimistic. I look forward to this review,” Mr. Babbit told a telephone call to Mr. Gutierrez.
The review will be jointly undertaken by the Department of the Interior and the GovGuam to assess current conservation efforts and proposals that may result in better cooperation between Guam and the federal government in protecting environmentally sensitive areas of the island.
“I am pleased that Secretary Babbit has agreed to accept my proposal and undertake serious discussions with Guam regarding conservation issues,” said Mr. Gutierrez.
“While we would not want to raise false hopes, we are guardedly optimistic that we will be able to provide solutions to the vexing problems on Guam that will make the Department of the Interior and the people of Guam true partners in conserving important resources for the recovery of Guam’s endangered and threatened species.
“This may be an opportunity for us to progress from confrontation to cooperation. I am personally convinced that there is a win-win situation here — a win for the environment and a win for landowners. My commitment is to do everything within my power to bring that about.”
In accepting the proposal, Mr. Babbit and Mr. Gutierrez mutually agreed that there would be no preconditions to the talks, and that any solutions would be based on sound scientific principles that would enhance current environmental efforts.
The discussions are expected to convene within 30 days in Washington D.C. The primary participants will be officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and GovGuam.
