Photovoltaic solar panels on residential roof.
Photovoltaic solar panels on residential roof.
Sign blocking entry to trail to Tarzan Swim Hole.
Taking a break at the Tarzan Swim Hole.
Tarzan Swim Hole.
Enjoying the Tarzan Swim Hole.
Land clearing that leads to erosion and siltation near the Ylig River and Tarzan Swim Hole.
Massive land clearing for solar panels near Tarzan Swim Hole.
Lotz
Lotz
Photovoltaic solar panels on residential roof.
Photovoltaic solar panels on residential roof.
Sign blocking entry to trail to Tarzan Swim Hole.
Taking a break at the Tarzan Swim Hole.
Tarzan Swim Hole.
Enjoying the Tarzan Swim Hole.
Land clearing that leads to erosion and siltation near the Ylig River and Tarzan Swim Hole.
Massive land clearing for solar panels near Tarzan Swim Hole.
Guam has recently experienced a rash of at least nine locations selected for photovoltaic solar plant facilities scattered about our island in surprising and odd locations.
These are only permitted under the Guam Zoning Code under a “Zone Change” or “Conditional Use,” which essentially means an exemption to the acceptable uses from the designated zoning for the locations.
One photovoltaic solar plant location of note is north of Cross Island Road, Route 17, just east of the Cotal Conservation Area, the location of the hiking trail to Tarzan Falls.
Drive by and be shocked as the area has been extensively cleared and certainly subject to erosion that will result in heavy siltation of the Ylig River. The public used hiking trail to the Tarzan Swimming Hole that crossed this land is now closed by the project. The application for conditional use failed to state this public hiking trail exists and of the existence of the Tarzan Swim Hole.
Apparently, this valid public use has just been ignored. Logically, failure to accurately state existing conditions in the application should invalidate the application and resulting approval.
Did any Government of Guam agency, including the Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Statistics and Plans, or the Yona mayor, express this concern about Tarzan Swim Hole and the trail closing?
Further, will this project impact and destroy the probable execution and burial site for three US Navy men, CMM L. L Krump, AGC L. W. Jones, and YN1 A. Yablonsky, by the Japanese on September 20, 1942?
Is the Guam State Historic Preservation Officer aware of this historic site and has he commented on any government approvals or permits required?
Then there is the former Guam International Country Club golf course in Dededo that received approvals to be converted to another photovoltaic solar plant and is opposed by the nearby community for impacts on water wells and their water recharge areas.
An overall concern, is why are our lands, that should be and could be better utilized for CHamoru residences and for agriculture, now being used for photovoltaic solar plant facilities?
Guam should have a program to place the solar panels on roof tops of building and residences, as illustrated by the accompanying photographs, and to construct vehicle parking shelters to protect the vehicles while placing solar panels on the shelter tops. This would serve two purposes on already developed land.
The old system still used to notify residents of pending Guam Land Use Commission hearings and meetings no longer functions as intended.
A while back notices were placed in the island’s newspaper that virtually everyone read first thing in the morning. This is no longer the case so the public notification requirement should change.
The Department of Land Management should and can easily post applications to the GLUC to seek public comments and have a database for emails to use to notify interested residents of these postings, but this is obviously not being done.
We need to have a community discussion on our solar contribution to power and their locations as compared to the current piecemeal government decisions that are not in the best interests of our community.
Dave Lotz, a U.S. Navy veteran, is a vocal advocate for protecting Guam’s unique heritage, knowledgeable and long-time hiking enthusiast and environmental advocate, and critic of inept government.
Lotz
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