by Sabrina Salas Matanane

PRESS RELEASE - Federal Receiver Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) today announced that the Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA), previously the Solid Waste Management Division, has reached an agreement with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas to begin using the Layon Landfill for disposal of non-hazardous waste from its
facilities on Guam. NAVFAC will also use the new Hauler-only Transfer Station operated by
Guahan Waste Control to minimize the truck traffic to the Layon Landfill.

The contract, which was approved by the Office of the Guam Attorney General and the Lieutenant Governor on behalf of the Governor's Office, requires NAVFAC to pay the same rate as other customers and to ensure that all waste delivered for disposal is acceptable under the permits issued by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency for the Layon Landfill and the Transfer Station. The contract is for five years, the longest time-frame for which NAVFAC reports that it is allowed to contract under current federal rules applicable to this contract. Waste deliveries under the contract began on October 1st.

"This is an important milestone for the environment and will make solid waste services more cost-effective for Guam's citizens and businesses," said Receiver Representative David L. Manning. "Even with Military participation in the new landfill, we expect the Layon Landfill to meet Guam's disposal needs for at least 40 to 50 years. With effective recycling, it can last longer. The contract also means that NAVFAC will not need to build additional landfill facilities of
its own, and can begin the process of closing their old unlined landfills, a big win for Guam's environment."