Guam EPA Closed October 16 – 20, 2017

NOTICE – Guam EPA Closed for US EPA Region IX National Enforcement Training

October 12, 2017 (Tiyan, Guam) — Personnel from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) will be on island from October 16 – October 20, 2017 to conduct National Enforcement Training for staff members from the Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA), Guam Fire Department (GFD), Guam Police Department (GPD) and the United States Coast Guard Sector Guam (USCG).

For Guam EPA, training is agency-wide and is scheduled to take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 16, 2017 to October 20, 2017. As a result, Guam EPA services will be limited during this time, as personnel from the agency’s regulatory divisions will be attending the training. Guam EPA Administrative Services Division will be able to assist with inquires at our Tiyan location from October 16 though October 19. However, the entire agency will be closed on October 20, 2017.

Guam EPA Administrator Walter S. Leon Guerrero states, “This training provides a great opportunity for our agency to interact with our national counterparts, enhance our operations and manage environmental compliance and enforcement issues more effectively.” This marks the first time that Guam EPA will receive inspector-training certification from US EPA. Leon Guerrero also adds, “Guam EPA has been trying to secure this training for over a decade. It is our hope that our agency will be able to better serve and assist Guam’s regulated community once we’ve completed the training.”

Three members based out of the US EPA Region IX Enforcement Division will be conducting basic and advanced inspector training as part of their National Enforcement Training, all at no cost to Guam EPA.

Inspector John Tinger, Program and Policy Analyst Kristine Karlson and Regional Counsel Melanie Shepherson have a combined 51 years of experience with US EPA and will certify local regulatory agency attendees in areas such as inspection planning, principles of inspection and enforcement, ethics, documentation, data management, investigation and case development.

Guam EPA thanks US EPA Region IX Acting Regional Administrator Alexis Strauss and Director of Enforcement Division Kathleen Johnson for ensuring that Guam EPA receives this training. Leon Guererro also thanks the Guam International Airport Authority for the use of their facilities to host the training.

| END OF RELEASE |

For more information, please contact Guam EPA Public Information Officer Nic Lee at 300-4753 or nic.rupley@epa.guam.gov

UPDATE – Special Advisory for Toguan River and Bay in Umatac in effect

UPDATE – Special Advisory for Toguan River and Bay in Umatac in effect

September 13, 2017 (Tiyan, Guam) — The Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) reports that there is currently a bypass of partially treated sewage from GWA’s Umatac-Merizo Wastewater Treatment Plant. This bypass affects the Toguan River and Bay. As a result of heavy rainfall over the last 5 days, this bypass is a preventative measure being performed in order to prevent any serious damage to the treatment plant.

The Toguan River and Bay area should be avoided until this advisory has been lifted. As of September 8, 2017, the Toguan Bay is listed in the Guam EPA weekly beach advisory.

Swimming, fishing or playing in polluted waters may result in minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea and might also result in more serious illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, or severe gastroenteritis. Children, elderly adults and all those afflicted with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of becoming ill when coming in contact with contaminated water.

Once this advisory is lifted, Guam EPA will make the announcement on the agency’s website, epa.guam.gov, and on all of its social media platforms.

For more information, please contact Guam EPA Public Information Officer Nic Lee at 300-4753 or nic.rupley@epa.guam.gov