HONOLULU -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Honolulu District, in partnership with the Guam Department of Public Works and the Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans is announcing the re-release of the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (IFR/EA) which examines potential emergency shoreline protection solutions for a 2,100-foot segment of South Marine Corps Drive in East Hagåtña, Guam that is at risk of imminent risk of failure due to shoreline erosion. An existing seawall built to protect the roadway is on the verge of collapse due to erosion and undermining, leaving South Marine Corps Drive and public utilities along the roadway exposed to damage from wave attack and storm surge (Figures 2 and 3). Without protection, the road and associated public utilities will be at imminent risk of failure.
The tentatively selected plan will address coastline erosion along Trinchera Beach at Hagåtña Bay, which runs parallel to South Marine Corps Drive (Figure 1) through construction of a 1,630 linear-foot (lf) precast concrete seawall to replace the most critically damaged sections of the existing seawall at Trinchera Beach.
The East Hagåtña Emergency Shoreline Protection study is administered under Section 14 of the Flood Control Act of 1946, as amended, which authorizes USACE to study, design, and construct emergency streambank and shoreline works used to protect public facilities.
A previous version of the Draft IFR/EA identified a revetment as the tentatively selected plan. Based on engineering comments received on the 2023 Draft IFR/EA, USACE revised its design and cost estimates and identified a precast concrete seawall as the tentatively selected plan. To make sure the public is informed of the change and has an opportunity to comment on the new plan, the USACE and Guam BSP are releasing the updated Draft IFR/EA for public review again.
Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), USACE and Guam BSP invite the public to comment on potential environmental effects of the shoreline protection project. Information regarding sensitive ecological, biological, historic and cultural resources is welcomed. USACE will use this information to meet other environmental laws and requirements including but not limited to compliance with the Clean Water Act, Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, and National Historic Preservation Act. Additionally, comments received during the public review period will be incorporated into the plan formulation, environmental assessment of effects, and the administrative record.
A 30-day public comment period runs from Aug. 8 through Sept. 8, 2025. Written comments may be submitted as follows:
E-Mail: CEPOH-Planning@usace.army.mil
Postal Mail:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Honolulu District
ATTN: CEPOH-PPC (Hagåtña)
230 Otake St.
Fort Shafter, HI 96858-5440
Comments received during this review period will be incorporated into the plan formulation, environmental assessment of effects, and the administrative record.
The public is invited to attend a meeting either in-person or virtually Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chamorro Standard Time (ChST) at the Hagatna Mayor’s Office (236 Rte 7A, Hagåtña, Guam) to ask questions and provide comments on the Draft IFR/EA.
Virtual:
https://meet.google.com/dxd-bhjz-vob
Dial (U.S.): +1 617-675-4444
PIN: 846 066 108 1252#
Download Printable Release Here