The Marine Forces Pacific recently held an ad hoc committee meeting with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, Tinian Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works and Administration agents in the BECQ office on Middle Road to map out the instructions to take about the potential solid waste solutions beneficial for both the military and the civilian population.
In analyzing these options, the U.S. military held the assumption that the current dumpsite located at Puntan Diablo on Tinian — the area where the Chinese group of investors will develop into an integrated resort — will be closed and that a transfer station is being contemplated.
MARFORPAC environmental specialist Sherri Eng said the dumpsite isn’t something that the military will have the ability to use.
Just by looking at the requirements and the advantages of the options explored, Eng stated that the easiest would be the off-island disposal.”
In choosing the off-island disposal option, the parties will need to research the capacity of the Marpi landfill to accommodate the waste coming from Tinian — both civilian and military waste.
Eng, in a meeting with the community regulatory agencies and officials walked them through the three systems being contemplated.
Choice 1: Incineration
Eng said the system which calls for using incinerator or waste-to-energy system requires a”properly sized incinerator,” fenced website, ash landfill, wastewater disposal, trained operators and secondary disposal site for C&D or construction and demolition waste, green waste, recyclables and white products.
She stated that this system could cause significant waste reduction and energy production.
However, there are challenges to be met: siting and permitting, maintaining consistent operations, the requirement for sorting and waste tracking, high initial cost, high maintenance cost and long timeline for construction.
“Construction timeline is long. It’s not something which we can install tomorrow,” said Eng.
Department of Public Works Secretary Martin C. Sablan mentioned about the CNMI getting an incinerator which it never used because of the difficulty of allowing through the regulatory agencies.
“Permitting was a problem,” said Sablan.
Choice 2: Fukuoka Landfill
The Fukuoka landfill is a new approach to managing solid waste. It’s a semi-aerobic landfill with a leachate collecting pipe setup in the landfill floor that drains the leachate to a treatment facility.
This method does not require a synthetic liner.
However, if this were to be chased, Tinian will require an additional 15 hectares and using specific construction material.
The MARFORPAC agents said they have conducted research on this method.
It had been done in Palau, Yap and American Samoa but nowhere else in the continental United States because of allowing.
“We must find some type of waiver,” said Eng mentioning that it is not a permitted system from the U.S.
But with Fukuoka method, there’s a potential to convert the present dumpsite on Tinian.
As for leachate, the military is considering to upsize its waste water treatment facility to accommodate this if this were the choice to take into account.
Since the Fukuoka landfill will require clay, Eng said their research showed the lack of the material on Tinian; however, it was indicated there is a supply in Papago.
Choice 3: Off-island disposal
This option proposes to utilize the present Marpi landfill.
She said that this centralizes waste management system on Saipan.
But Eng was quick to point out that among the challenges will be how to deal with the perception that Saipan becomes a dumping ground.
The military also sees the need to upgrade shipping infrastructure.
“We’re willing to accept military waste,” said DPW Secretary Martin C. Sablan.
He said they had excavated the ground to build the next cell of the landfill facility.
With this choice, Eng assured that”whatever we do, we’re going to take the Tinian waste with us.”
Asked by DPW when the military were to foot the bill for shipping and transport of the waste, Eng said,”We agree to discover the solution and expect to find the solution.” She said she could not commit to anything.
Sablan said it will cost less for the military to bring their waste to Saipan but the municipality will be requiring help.
Feasibility study for three options?
Eng remarked that the options has to be brought down to 2.
“I don’t believe we have the time and money to do all three,” she said.
Transfer station is key
since they mulled the potential solutions to Tinian’s solid waste issues, Eng said it is assumed that there will be a transfer station.
“Transfer station is important in these sytems,” she said.
Closure of the dumpsite
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz pointed out that It’s not the responsibility of the developer to close the existing dumpsite in Puntan Diablo.
He, however, said that Alter City has committed to providing around $5 million in support.
Mayor Dela Cruz said three years would be reasonable.
“That will allow the developer to work on the adjacent property,” he said.
Alter City Group is proposing to build a golf course in the current site of the dumpsite.
Alter City committed to help
In a hearing before the CNMI legislature last week, Alter City’s legal counsel Rober Torres stated,”Investor is motivated to help in its removal.”
“That will allow the developer to work on the adjacent property,” he said.
Alter City Group is proposing to build a golf course at the current site of the dumpsite.
Alter City committed to assist
At a hearing before the CNMI legislature last week, Alter City’s legal counsel Rober Torres said, “Investor is motivated to assist in its removal.”
But he said the government too has to pitch in.
by: http://www.mvariety.com/special-features/business-edge/70491-tinian-solid-waste-where-to-go