Plans for Ordot composting facility detailed

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - More than a dozen residents showed up to the Guam Land Use Commission's meeting today to hear the proposed plan to build a green waste and wood waste shredding and composting facility right across the Ordot landfill. Pacific Unlimited presented its plans to build a green waste and wood waste shredding and composting facility to the GLUC today, but not everything was given the green light.

Although they said their plan would benefit the entire island and be a light impact project to the community, the project did receive some concern including board members particularly for the zone change. Pacific Unlimited's John Limtiaco says although there are plans to build a park in the area, he feels the plan and zone change request should go forward because the federal regulation codes require a minimum of 30 years of monitoring for post closure of a dump before a park can even be built.

"Having said that, it's currently a dump and for the foreseeable future, at least 35 years, it's going to remain a dump and be monitored as a dump," he stated. "The thing is for anybody who builds a house there or any other development, is going to have their asset depreciate the minute they walk into the door because they're not going to be able to sell it."

Community members showed up both in support and against the plan including i-Recycle Program administrator Peggy Denney, who said, "It could be done in a manner that benefits the local community...I would encourage them accept green waste from anyone at no cost or at a nominal fee to encourage the proper disposal of green waste as opposed to having them dumped all over the place."

Resident Dr. Marilyn Salas-Walter added, "The mere thought of a composting facility in our residential area and future area for our people to exercise is not a strategic healthy plan for the future. After 60 years of having a dump in the neighborhood, my parents are no longer around, but they always wanted that dump to be closed down. We couldn't even build because we wanted the dump smells to go away and now we're celebrating."

GLUC chairman Jay Lather meanwhile said he felt an M-zone is not appropriate to put in the Ordot community at this time, noting, "And I've got to tell you that if I had a house in Dero Road, I wouldn't want to see M-zoning anymore, I've paid the price already, and it's been a tough road and I think it's time to end that. On the other hand, this commission believes in property rights and you have a right to everything allowed in an (agriculture) zone, we're never going to stop you from doing that, so I think there's a way that we can compromise here that makes sense for all parties."

The board instead denied the request for zone change and conditional use. However, a resolution was presented that would define the uses of an agricultural zone inclusive of composting. Ultimately, it still allows Pacific Unlimited to move forward with composting operations on the current agriculture zone, but sets parameters on composting operations subject to EPA regulatory requirements that can be acceptable to both parties.