The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) debris removal mission moves forward as contractors completed cleanup from residential rights of way (ROWs) in the villages of Agana Heights, Hagåtña and Dededo.
The USACE mission conducts separation and removal of eligible typhoon related debris from residential properties. Teams go street by street through each village collecting everything from construction and demolition waste to vegetative debris from ROWs until the entire village has been cleared.
Debris Operations are currently ongoing in the following villages:
- Agat (Hågat)
- Barrigada
- Chalan Pago-Ordot
- Mangilao
- Mongmong-Toto-Maite
- Yigo
- Yona
But how does USACE determine when a village is finished? This is where the local mayors come in. Once USACE contractors have made their rounds through a village, the local mayor is contacted and tours the village to ensure debris pick-up has been completed.
The mayors of Guam have been an indispensable resource throughout the Mawar recovery process. They are “boots on the ground” in every village, offering information and insights into their communities, while also advocating for their residents. Without their help, missions like this may not be possible.
Debris Operations have been completed in the following villages:
- Piti
- Asan (Asan-Maina)
- Sinajana
- Santa Rita (Sånta Rita-Sumai)
- Umatac (Humåtak)
- Merizo (Malesso’)
- Tamuning
- Talofofo (Talo’fo’fo)
- Inarajan (Inalåhan)
- Agana Heights
- Agana (Hagåtña)
- Dededo
Now that local mayors have signed off on debris removal in these 12 villages, USACE asks that any remaining debris including ineligible and hazardous waste be disposed of properly and not be set in the ROW.
Areas that have been cleared continue to see debris being dumped by residents. Any new debris remaining after an area has been completed will be the resident’s responsibility to dispose of.
Certain forms of ineligible debris may be taken to one of the three Guam Solid Waste Authority (GSWA) residential transfer stations in Harmon, Hagåt, and Malojloj. Transfer station operation hours are Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A nominal fee is required for disposal of household trash.
Residents are urged to dispose of their solid waste properly. Illegal dumping is a violation of Guam law. In accordance with 10 GCA §51115(b), illegal dumping is subject to fines of up to $1,000 per day, per violation, along with the cleanup cost associated with the violation. To view the Debris Mission Dashboard detailing current debris mission operations visit: Guam Debris Mission DR4715 - Dashboard (PUBLIC) (arcgis.com)
For an FAQ answering common questions about the debris mission visit: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Debris Mission FAQ | FEMA.gov
For more information on proper debris separation, visit Debris Removal Guidelines for Residential Property (fema.gov)
For information on Guam’s disaster recovery, visit our website.
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