Complete 180-degree Turnaround of Solid Waste System Achieved

For more information, contact:
Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc.
(703) 573-5800 / www.gbbinc.com

McLean, VA (May 2, 2019) – Gershman, Brickner & Bratton, Inc. (GBB) announced today that its 11-year federal receivership over Guam’s solid waste and disposal services has partially ended, effective at close of business on April 30, 2019, in a court order issued by Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood of the United States District Court of Guam. Per the order, administrative and managerial responsibility over the Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA)’s day-to-day operations is returned to the Government of Guam while GBB will continue its technical work to complete the post-closure plan for the Ordot Dump.

In making this decision, Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood said, “The court is very proud of the work accomplished by the Receiver [GBB] over the last 11 years. The Ordot Dump has been closed, and the Receiver has installed the necessary systems to protect Guam’s waters from this environmental hazard that had plagued the island for decades. The Receiver has built a modern solid waste system for the island which includes a compliant solid waste landfill, a recycling program and a household hazardous waste disposal center.”

“The entire Receiver Team is pleased to have had the opportunity to build a modern solid waste system for Guam,” said Chris Lund, P.E., GBB Senior Vice President and Receiver Senior Project Engineer. “The island now has the opportunity to build on our work and maintain this system, but it will require continued focus of the fundamentals. We are very proud of our work to close the Ordot Dump and build the necessary systems to protect Guam’s environment, and we look forward to completing our post-closure work on the Ordot Dump in the coming months.”

“While many people on Guam have been helpful and supportive of our work, it is important to recognize that none of it would have been possible without the courage and leadership of Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood,” added David L. Manning, GBB Special Principal Associate and Receiver Representative. “Also key was the hard work and dedication of Chace Anderson, GBB Principal Associate and Receiver Operations Manager, who ran the day-to-day operations in Guam and developed a team of dedicated employees who are now well positioned to continue this work. Guam now has the tools it needs to serve the Island’s solid waste needs, but it will also need its political leadership to provide meaningful support and protect it from destructive interference going forward.”

In March 2008, the Chief Judge issued a court order appointing GBB as Receiver to achieve what the Government of Guam was unsuccessful in reaching during the previous 22 years – compliance with the Clean Water Act through compliance with the 2004 Consent Decree. When the Judge tasked GBB with implementing the Consent Decree, it required a 180-degree turnaround of a completely dysfunctional solid waste management system while closing a dump that has been open for nearly 70 years.

Inheriting a solid waste management system plagued by serious operational, financial, and administrative problems; known and unknown environmental issues; and decrepit facilities, GBB assembled a multi-disciplinary team of solid waste, procurement, landfill engineering, financial, and communication experts to develop a turnaround plan and present to the Court a roadmap to accomplish the Consent Decree projects and reform Guam’s solid waste management system.

Working with GovGuam, the U.S. military, private waste haulers, and other stakeholders in Guam, GBB has closed the Ordot Dump, opened a new sanitary landfill, implemented recycling programs, opened a new household hazardous waste facility and upgraded Guam’s residential transfer stations, in full compliance with the requirements of the Consent Decree. This has been accomplished under the guidance of the Court and in consultation with the U.S. EPA and the Guam Environmental Protection Agency.

About GBB
GBB is an award-winning national solid waste management consulting firm founded in 1980 that helps public and private entities do better things with waste. GBB specializes in solid waste collection, processing, recycling, resource recovery, and disposal issues and assists in planning, procuring, and implementing sound, cost-effective facilities and services. For more information, visit www.GBBinc.com, www.linkedin.com/company/gershman-brickner-&-bratton-inc-, www.facebook.com/gbbinc, www.twitter.com/gbbinc, or call 703-573-5800.

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