Guam News - Guam News

Guam- The Guam Environmental Protection Agency will have to take a few steps back to move forward with its illegal dump case against Joseph Taitano.

The Yigo Property owner was cited for illegally dumping tires, household waste and other construction debris in his coral pit. A deep seeded fire also broke out in the site around May 2010, which caused an evacuation of several homes. Taitano was issued an administrative order by Guam EPA, which is worth $2.3 million dollars in fines. However, spokesperson Tammy Jo Anderson Taft says the board of directors met and rejected Guam EPA's proposed motion to rescind their administrative order and hear the case again because they felt the timing of the matter was out of their jurisdiction. So, she mentions the case was heard in superior court again last week. Taft notes attorneys for both sides met and agreed on how to proceed.

“Guam EPA's attorney and the attorney for Mr. Taitano met and discussed next steps in the case” said Taft. “They agreed that they would ask that the order be rescinded because of the issue with notification. And Guam EPA is going to move forward with the case in terms of bringing it back to the board.”

Guam EPA feels it has a very valid case based on their investigations. They believe there is no reason why the case should be thrown out. In the meantime, the board meeting has yet to be scheduled.