by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The Mayors' Council of Guam has written a letter to Governor Eddie Calvo requesting his help in assisting their villages combat invasive species through proper green management. On Wednesday mayors approved a resolution requesting the letter be sent because of problems they've been experienced with piles of green waste growing in their villages. The piles have become breeding grounds to the coconut rhinoceros beetles. The MCOG wrote this is an "envirnonmental and agricultural emergency" and we need all the help we can get.

According to the MCOG's letter:

"This problem of green waste was created by two factors that have changed in the recent years- First our island has been so fortunate to have been spared from natures wrath of natural green management through typhoons-the leaves, branches, trunks, vines, plants have all been collecting and not hauled away every so many months from debris collection caused by typhoons. Secondly, prior to federal receivership for Solid Wase Management- green wase was allowed to be thrown in the general waste stream and collected on a weekly basis. This has stopped and the piles have grown."

The MCOG says they feel the issue should be given a high priority to include additional funding from the Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam Economic Development Authority or the Recycling Revolving Fund. They are also asking the Governor to seek assistance from the federal government in providing more resources to combat these issues since it will eventually affecte federal installations and parks.