By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

A GROUP of senators will go on an inspection tour of the Ordot Dump today before going on a site visit to the proposed new landfill in Dandan on Wednesday.
The group will be led by Sen. James V. Espaldon, chairman of the infrastructure and natural resources committee, who said that the tour will also include a visit to the Andersen Air Force Base sanitary landfill and recycling facilities.
The visit to the Ordot Dump is open to the public but the inspection of the Andersen landfill may be limited to a contingent of government officials because of security restrictions at the base.
According to Espaldon, the purpose of these visits is to give the Legislature a better perspective and insight into the Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Division operations, along with the processes for opening a new sanitary landfill and the closure of Ordot Dump.
“The closure of Ordot is among my top priorities as a policy maker. Its closure has been 20 years in the making and, for one reason or another, it just hasn’t happened,” Espaldon said.
The senator has been busy studying the process and challenges that come with seeing the closure of the Ordot Dump to fruition.
“I definitely want to see it happen during this first term. We will close Ordot and open a sanitary landfill within reasonable timelines. That’s my commitment,” Espaldon said.
When the senators tour the proposed Dandan landfill site on Wednesday, Espaldon said senators belonging to the Consent Decree Team will give an overview of their proposed plans for the opening of a new sanitary landfill and address any questions or concerns from lawmakers and the general public.
The Ordot Dump inspection will start at 10 a.m. today, while the Andersen inspection will take place at 12:30 p.m.