Transfer stations to be built in Kagman, As Gonno in FY 2020

Two transfer stations will be built in Kagman and As Gonno-Koblerville, making it more convenient for residents in these areas to bring their solid waste.

In a notice yesterday, the Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Management Division said the project will start construction in the first quarter of 2020 and will be up for operation beginning January 2021.

Each facility will be approximately 260 feet by 500 feet and shall consist of an office, small truck scale, roll-off container storage yard, recycling building, ponding basin, a septic tank/leaching field, oil-water separator and small generator for the truck scale.

According to Public Works Secretary James A. Ada, the stations would be operated by DPW-SWMD and would include ancillary activities, including waste separation of recyclables. 

“Non-recycle waste and certain other waste will be regularly hauled by DPW to the landfill area. Recyclables and certain waste would be stored temporarily and transported to the transfer station in Lower Base, Ada said.

DPW-SWMD will create an incentive program to encourage the community to separate recyclables.

The Kagman station will serve an estimated population of 5,000 for the villages of Kagman, Papago, and As Teo, while As Gonno will serve an estimated population of 20,000 from the villages of Fina Sisu, Kannat Tabla, Koblerville, San Antonio, San Jose, San Vicente, Tottotville, Dandan, and Chalan Kanoa. The northern part of the island will be served by the Lower Base transfer station.

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who as a senator was the author of Public Law 19-52 that created the new Kagman and As Gonno transfer stations, noted that this will reduce illegal dumping and littering on Saipan. 

“Considering the prevalent illegal dumping that continues to plague our community, it is of utmost urgency that we expedite the implementation of this act and operation of the much-needed transfer station facilities. It is long overdue and finally it will be a reality and I extend my appreciation to Secretary Ada and the engineers of DPW, as well as the Zoning board for considering and approving the rezoning of Kagman property for this purpose,” Palacios said.

He said the requirements that affect the construction of the transfer stations, as well as deadlines to conduct a feasibility study and the identification, selection, and conveyance of public lands for the sites of the transfer stations, was an enormous undertaking to ensure construction of both stations in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said the signing of Public Law 19-52 initiated these additional solid waste transfer stations for the southern parts of Saipan and for Kagman. 

“During his time in the Senate…Palacios saw the need to reduce illegal dumping and improper disposal of hazardous waste in our villages and many constituents in the southern part of Saipan expressed this issue. Littering has been a prevalent issue, and our administration is doing our part to…reduce this trend and ultimately keep our islands clean. We commend DPW and [Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality] for their diligence in performing a feasibility study and complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations,” Torres said. (PR)