By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

SENATOR David Shimizu, D-Inarajan, yesterday questioned the legality of the Department of Public Work’s ongoing road project leading to Layon, a property in Dandan which is the proposed site of a new solid waste municipal landfill.
Shimizu said although Layon has been selected by DPW and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency to host the new landfill, the private properties around the area have not been properly acquired by the government.
“Numerous residents and property owners in this vicinity have contacted my office to express concern with this project. It is my understanding that the proposed project will result in over six miles of roads,” the Inarajan senator stated in a letter to DPW director Larry Perez.
“To date, I am unaware of any legislative or court actions that have led to the acquisition of these properties either through purchase, land exchange or condemnation through eminent domain,” Shimuzu said, adding that the Legislature has not approved any appropriation to start the road project.
Perez could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Although the initiative was leading toward compliance with the federal consent decree, Shimizu warned Perez that the improper commencement of the project “may be contrary to law.”