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11/05/2025 - Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality administrator Floyd Masga said the agency has denied one request and asked for more information on another after two private companies sought to dispose of off-island waste in CNMI landfills.
In an interview last Nov. 3 at the BECQ office in Gualo Rai, Masga said the bureau outright denied Landscape Management Systems’ request to dispose of pharmaceutical waste from U.S. Naval Hospital Guam in local landfills.
“With regard to the pharmaceutical waste, we denied that. One reason is that we don’t have the facility to accommodate those types of waste,” Masga said. “And keeping in mind, too, that the governor is very aware and has taken this issue very seriously because of [environmental as well as public health concerns].”
The facility Masga referred to is an incineration plant, of which the CNMI currently has only two—one at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, used for contraband, and another at the Commonwealth Health Center, used for sanitation purposes.
“These are the concerns that were brought up to our side at BECQ. One of the things, of course, was to analyze, regulate, and make sure that we have the regulations in place to handle such things. But we, again, did not support the pharmaceutical waste,” he added.
As for the proposal to dump construction and demolition debris from the U.S. Army Garrison on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Masga said HYC Corp. only sought BECQ’s guidance, which the bureau provided.
“We did provide HYC Corp. guidance with regard to what was allowed and as well as what certifications they need. And to be aware that there are some federal regulations, for example, [U.S. Environmental Protection Agency], as well as the Department of War, with regards to transportation or export, even in international waters, with regards to these kinds of wastes.”
Masga added that aside from asking HYC Corp. to determine the exact composition of the materials proposed for disposal in CNMI landfills, BECQ is also concerned about their potential long-term environmental impact.
“We're concerned about the landfill as well and the long-term consequences, for example, if such waste is managed properly, but also what is in that waste. These are the kind of things that the company has indicated that they've gotten information that it's not hazardous. However, we also need the Department of War to provide that information, not just the company. We need this analysis to be certified.”
According to documents submitted to the Department of Public Works, HYC Corp. sought to dispose of the following: about 6,000 tons of crushed concrete backfill; 500 tons of metals such as rebars and railings; 100 tons of assorted debris including carpets and tiles; 40 tons of furniture; 60 tons of wood from partitions and cabinetry; and 300 tons of conduits and wiring.
Masga was also asked to comment on House Bill 24-60, introduced by Rep. John Paul Sablan last Sept. 11, which seeks to restrict the acceptance and disposal of off-island waste in CNMI landfills unless strict health, safety, and environmental standards are met.
“When we saw or read the proposed bill, first, we noticed that the bill was proposing to provide regulations and so forth, but it also led to allowing it. However, our analysis of that bill was also to require or provide guidance to the legislators as well, with which we can work hand in hand with regards to what needs to be done. However, we need to be very mindful of our environment and the consequences of such things,” he said.
He added that EPA rules governing the importation of off-island waste must be closely examined.
“[That includes] what’s required for testing, lab results, and Department of Defense regulations,” he said. “This is not something to take lightly. There are laws in place to protect Guam, the Northern Marianas, and other U.S. territories from accepting such materials without proper safeguards.”
Masga said BECQ has already provided its comments on HB 24-60 to the Legislature and thanked Gov. David M. Apatang for supporting the bureau’s response to the growing concern over off-island waste disposal.
“We are always happy to meet with the legislative members to explain our justification and why these things should or should not happen. Then again, our job is to regulate, and that's no doubt. We need to have proper regulations and safety measures that need to be addressed before any acceptance of any waste outside the Northern Marianas,” he said.
Masga said, ultimately, BECQ’s mandate is clear.
“We are here at BECQ to make sure that the environment is protected, as well as, you know, the ultimate goal is public health as well. We need to all work together on this and prevent anything that could be harming our people now and in the future.”
Report by Mark Rabago
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