The Guam Historic Preservation Review Board has not convened in two years, its chairman acknowledged Monday, as senators questioned nominees about a dysfunction they tied to a contested military programmatic agreement and neglected surveys of historic sites.
The Committee on Culture and Historic Preservation, chaired by Sen. Shelly V. Calvo, heard testimony on the appointments of architect Michael W. Makio and archaeologist Lynn Rosalie C. Leon Guerrero. Two other nominees, Pale' Eric Forbes and Vincent A.R. Leon Guerrero, could not attend.
Makio, the board's chairman, said he had repeatedly tried to call meetings without success. "I call the meeting," he said. "There are email after email. And what do I get? Oh, we can't — there's always a reason we can't."
The board's members also serve as directors of the Guam Preservation Trust, which has continued meeting. Makio cited procedural obstacles at the State Historic Preservation Office, such as being told notices could not be issued without a purchase order.
Sen. Sabina Perez pressed Makio on the board's failure to maintain a territory-wide survey of historic properties, a deficiency cited in a March 2025 audit. Sen. Therese Terlaje said the board's inactivity allowed frustration to build around a new programmatic agreement that substitutes for standard federal review. "That could have all been avoided," she said.
Rosalie Leon Guerrero, an archaeologist with 28 years of experience and one of the few CHamoru women in the field, was nominated to fill the board's vacant archaeology seat. She pledged to advocate for preserving sites in place where possible.
Both nominees drew support from former Guam Preservation Trust officer Joe Quinata and interim officer Andrew Tenorio. The committee will continue receiving testimony for 10 business days.