Bill Overview
Title: To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within the island of Guam as a National Heritage Area, and for other purposes.
Description: The bill directs the Department of the Interior to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating areas of Guam as a National Heritage Area.
Sponsors: Del. San Nicolas, Michael F. Q. [D-GU-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: Residents and stakeholders in Guam
Estimated Size: 170000
- Guam is a territory of the United States, with a population of about 170,000 people.
- A National Heritage Area designation typically aims to protect and promote historical, cultural, and natural resources in a region, impacting residents, local businesses, and visitors.
- Given Guam's unique status as a U.S. territory and strategic location in the Pacific, the designation may attract increased tourism and federal support, impacting economic and cultural aspects for residents.
- The designation could involve land use regulations or conservation efforts affecting property owners and businesses within the proposed heritage areas.
Reasoning
- The primary target population for this policy is the residents of Guam, who number approximately 170,000. The policy intends to potentially designate areas within Guam as a National Heritage Area, which would have implications for historical, cultural, and natural resource preservation.
- This policy might lead to increased tourism, providing an economic boost to local businesses in Guam. However, it could also impose constraints through new regulations in the designated areas, affecting property owners and businesses.
- Given the budget, the policy is limited in scope and impact, emphasizing exploration and assessment rather than immediate large-scale implementation. Impacts might be more significant over a long-term period, as potential designations unfold.
- For residents affected directly by the preservation regulations or increased tourism, the impact could be more pronounced. However, for others, particularly those not involved heavily in affected industries or areas, the impact might be negligible.
Simulated Interviews
hotel manager (Hagåtña, Guam)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am hopeful this will increase tourism.
- Regulations might take some getting used to, but overall I think it'll be worth it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
construction worker (Dededo, Guam)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about what this might mean for construction jobs.
- It could be a good change, but it depends on how they handle it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
local historian (Guam)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A national heritage area designation could greatly aid in preserving our culture.
- I am concerned about potential restrictions, but optimistic about the benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
retired (Yigo, Guam)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am nervous about tourists changing how things are here.
- It might be good for the young folks who need jobs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
environmental scientist (Mangilao, Guam)
Age: 37 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help ensure significant areas are preserved.
- I am optimistic the assessment will highlight ecological value.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
small business owner (Guam)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean more business, but I’m wary of higher costs.
- We might have to adapt to new rules.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
teacher (Tamuning, Guam)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a great educational opportunity for our children.
- I hope it can be integrated into our curriculum.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
tour guide (Agat, Guam)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could mean more work for us guides.
- The identity of the island might shift slightly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
local activist (Barrigada, Guam)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protecting our heritage is crucial, but we must guard against commercialization.
- This could be a double-edged sword for our community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
student (Guam)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be a positive step for conservation.
- I'm eager to see what areas they choose to protect.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 2: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $1500000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The study serves as a preliminary assessment and does not guarantee designation or immediate economic impacts.
- Political and cultural sensitivities should be considered given Guam's status and strategic importance.
- A successful designation could leverage federal funding and protection for natural and cultural resources.