A DRAFT memorandum of understanding on the detonation of 800 unexploded World War II ordnance is being reviewed by various government agencies
The Emergency Management Office yesterday said the MOU specifies the approval of various government agencies on the new location for this year’s open burning of live ordnance.
Mark Pangelinan, EMO deputy director, said the detonation site is located north of the new $10 million Marpi landfill project.
He said this activity should be done before the expiration of the 90-day emergency permit issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the detonation of unexploded munitions in the CNMI.
The EPA-issued permit expires in July.
“Our target date for the detonation is early June. All we need now is to get the approval of the local regulatory agencies on the draft MOU,” said Pangelinan.
The U.S. Navy Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team on Guam and EMO would spearhead the detonation of various types of live ordnance, including projectiles, rocket launchers, grenades, mortars and a 300-lb. depth charge.
On Tuesday last week, Pangelinan and EMO Director Rudolfo M. Pua met with officials of local regulatory agencies for the review of the draft MOU.
“They’re supposed to report back to EMO on Friday about the results of their review, but it seems they’re not yet done with it. I am doing a follow-up today,” said Pangelinan.
Present in that meeting were Division of Environmental Quality Director John Castro, acting Coastal Resources Management Director Joaquin Salas, Historic Preservation Office Director Epifanio E. Cabrera, Fish and Wildlife Director Richard Seman, Solid Waste Division Manager Alberta Carpenter and EMO ordnance consultant John Scott.
The number of ordnance to be detonated is expected to increase before the actual detonation because EMO continues to locate more war explosives, said Pangelinan.
