(a) I Liheslatura finds that Lot No. 5397, municipality of Mangilao, containing an area of 6,096,159+/- square feet, or 566,351+/- square meters, or 139.95+/-acres; as shown on Drawing No. 972, L.M. No. 110 FY90, prepared by Ronald G. Perry, PLS No. 33, dated February 23, 1990, and recorded under Instrument No. 433246, is registered in the name of the Government of Guam as owner in fee simple, subject to a reversionary interest of the United States in the event the lot is used for other than its intended purposes. Lot No. 5397 is commonly known as the “”Cliff Line Property””. Title in the name of the Government of Guam was granted by the Superior Court of Guam on March 29, 1999, pursuant to a Petition for Registration of Title to Land.

(b) I Liheslatura notes that historically in January 1966 the Director of Land Management of the Government of Guam filed and approved the establishment of Conservation Areas. The administration of Lot No. 5397 is stated as follows: “”This area will be administered and controlled by the College of Guam in conjunction with the Departments of Agriculture, Land Management and Public Works.”” I Liheslatura further finds that Public Law
22-18 designated Lot No. 5397 as Reserved Land to be managed jointly by the University of Guam, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Parks and Recreation for the “”Marine Lab Expansion, Conservation Reserve and Prehistoric Site.”” Lot No. 5397 holds perhaps the best preserved tract of limestone forest on Guam, resulting from the inaccessibility of the area due to the difficult tower karst terrain that pervades it. Since January
1966, Lot No. 5397 has been in the control of the University, where it has been a biological conservation site for the purposes of advancing the conservation, protection and study of the natural soil and water conditions and of all native plants, animal and water life. Further, Lot No. 5397 holds the University of Guam Marine Laboratory, Marine Laboratory Visitors Housing Facility, and the Water and Environmental Research Institute (WERI). The lot is used extensively by University classes for field trips and by University faculty in the natural sciences for research. Future plans by the University include continued use of the natural features of this lot in

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education and research, and accommodating constructions of new facilities at the Marine Lab and WERI.

(c) I Liheslatura finds that if title to Lot No. 5397 were transferred to the University, the University would be free to proceed with specific projects and plans to address these concerns. Inasmuch as the University has maintained administrative control of Lot No. 5397 since January 1966, transfer of title of Lot No. 5397 to the University would play a vital part in increasing the University’s revenue sources, fostering sustainability, and capacity building. It is for this particular reason that I Liheslatura finds it is now appropriate and fiscally responsible that title of Lot No. 5397 be transferred to the University.

(d) Therefore, it is the intent of I Liheslatura to transfer Lot No. 5397 exclusively to the University of Guam for the purpose of continuing the University’s mission of Ina, Diskubre, Setbe and for purposes of increasing the University’s revenue sources, capacity building and sustainability, while preserving the original intent in establishing the conservation area.

SOURCE: Added as uncodified law by P.L. 33-002:1 (Feb. 25, 2015), codified to this section by the Compiler pursuant to 1 Guam Code Ann. § 1606.

2015 NOTE: Subsection designations added pursuant to 1 Guam Code Ann. § 1606.