Housing shortages, strained infrastructure, and environmental safety were among the major concerns raised during a Guam Legislature informational briefing on the military buildup.
Sen. Telo Taitague hosted the briefing, the fourth one held during the current legislative term. She said shifting federal priorities and regional security developments could change the scope of the buildup, potentially placing additional pressure on Guam’s housing supply, utility systems, and cost of living.
Written testimony from Community Defense Liaison Office Executive Director Vera Topasna said local planning accounts for approximately 5,000 Marines relocating to Guam, with peak buildup activity projected between 2027 and 2037. The timeline remains subject to change.
Former Del. Robert Underwood said the public needs more detailed information about military plans and their potential effects on the island. He questioned whether local needs are adequately reflected in decisions made at the federal level.
Environmental concerns were also raised by community members.
Testimony submitted by Baltazar Bordallo Aguon and read by his nephew, Tomas Aguon Rojas, questioned the handling of potentially contaminated soil and raised concerns about dieldrin in groundwater. He also questioned the environmental risks associated with open-air detonation of expired munitions.
Claire Calvo, founder of Conscious Living, called for independent environmental monitoring and long-term health research to better understand potential cumulative exposures and their possible relationship to health outcomes.
“When we inhale or ingest toxins, particles, and chemicals, substances can enter the bloodstream and be processed or eliminated through organs, including the liver and kidneys,” Calvo said. “These correlations deserve to be explored in the broader investigation of Guam's environmental exposures. We've often been led to look towards our genetics, diet, and lifestyle as explanations for our health disparities, and those factors should definitely not be disregarded. But neither should our environment.”
The discussion also addressed whether federal investment will adequately support Guam’s civilian infrastructure as military activity expands. Written testimony from Del. James Moylan discussed proposed funding for power-grid upgrades, housing construction, and Port Authority improvements.
Military representatives from Joint Region Marianas, Moylan, and the governor’s liaison, Vera Topasna, did not attend the briefing to answer questions directly. Sens. Taitague and Chris Barnett were the only senators in attendance.
Taitague said she would continue seeking testimony from military and government agencies and recessed the hearing to a later date.
The briefing left questions about the buildup’s long-term effects, environmental safeguards, and infrastructure needs unresolved.
