Bill to ban open burning, detonating and transshipment of hazardous waste draws support, criticism

The fight for healthy air, water and land made its way over to the Guam Congress Building.

Concerned residents held signs saying "Ban Burn Pits" and "No More Toxic Sites." 

They gathered to testify in support of Bill 360 introduced by Sen. Sabina Perez. 

The measure seeks to ban open burn, open detonation and the transshipment of hazardous waste on and into Guam. 

University of Guam Press Publishing Director Victoria Leon Guerrero supports it. 

"Whether or not these instances occur on or off military installations, they seep into our water, they contaminate our air, they contaminate our food sources and they are killing our people slowly," she said. "I think that enough is enough and I commend you for introducing this bill and I fully support this bill and I absolutely oppose the continuation of the open burn open detonation in our community."

Monaeka Flores of Prutehi Litekyan also testified in support, showing a clip of hazardous pink smoke billowing over Tarague Beach on Andersen Air Force Base. 

"As you mentioned earlier senator, open burn open detonation takes place, 80 percent of it, takes place in communities of lower economic and income status and in communities of color," she said. "This is environmental racism."

Leroy Moore,  president of Unitek Environmental Guam testified against the bill. 

"As an industry expert, I propose Bill 360 be withdrawn and not voted on committee for passage into law," he said.

He adds though there are dangers with unexploded ordnance and hazardous waste, that there are also strict regulations in place. 

Representing Guam EPA, Roland Gutierrez testified on the agency's past relationship with the military but didn't give a clear position on the measure. 

"GEPA will not dispute DoD safety determination in the handling of unstable waste materials such as unusable WWII munitions and explosive materials and will continue to work with the operators of the OB/OD unit," he said. 

Guam EPA has yet to act on the Air Force's OB/OD permit application.