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Guam Department of Agriculture forestry chief urges mayors to schedule inspections, warns of procurement delays putting grants at risk
Summary
Christine Comacho Feherin, chief of the Forestry and Soil Resources Division at Guam’s Department of Agriculture, reviewed the division’s programs, said forestry crews have responded to 37 wildfires to date, emphasized that tree‑cutting permits are required, and warned procurement delays could jeopardize grant‑funded projects.
Christine Comacho Feherin, chief of the Forestry and Soil Resources Division at the Guam Department of Agriculture, presented the division’s programs and asked village leaders to coordinate inspections, training and tree‑maintenance planning.
Comacho Feherin introduced her small staff and program managers responsible for fire response, landscape restoration and urban and community forestry, describing work on reforestation, public education, wildfire responses and urban tree programs. She said the division has responded to 37 wildfires so far this season and that crew members perform preventive and post‑fire work in addition to emergency responses.
Comacho Feherin described the division’s grants portfolio and said several grants — including REPI, America the Beautiful and an endangered‑species grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — have funded vehicles, equipment and projects. She said procurement and administrative delays, caused by staff turnover and new procurement systems, have slowed project implementation and created a risk that some grant funds could be lost if contracts and purchases are not completed in time.
The chief emphasized that tree‑cutting permits are required and urged mayors to coordinate inspections so work can be bundled into single permits where appropriate. “If we come out to do tree work with you, we are going to need a place to put that [debris] and we are going to request that your staff or DPW or the partners help remove the vegetation,” she said. She offered training on “good cut, bad cut” pruning, tree inspection and village assessments, and encouraged mayors to appoint village staff to forestry advisory committees.
Comacho Feherin also described urban and community forestry products — brochures, infographics and training materials — and said the division can help mayoral offices with tree‑maintenance plans and permitting guidance. She invited mayors to schedule training sessions for village staff and to coordinate inspections so the division can prioritize work.
No formal action or vote by the Mayor’s Council was recorded on forestry matters during the meeting.
