Oct. 1, 2018
Hagåtña — The Government of Guam’s lawsuit that aims to hold the U.S. Navy accountable for its part in creating Ordot dump will move forward. A preliminary order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, stated that Guam has a legitimate claim and that we are right to pursue this case.
The closure of the Ordot dump, which was mandated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), has cost the people of Guam more than $200 million. U.S. Navy used Ordot dump before it was turned over to the Government of Guam.
“I feel very strongly that the people of Guam have lived up to their responsibility in closing the dump and opening a landfill per the federal government’s insistence. But there are others who not only used the dump, but also had a part in its creation, and they should be held accountable – that’s all we are asking in this lawsuit,” Governor Calvo stated.
The U.S. Navy made an effort to dismiss our case against them.
“The Governor and I thank the Attorney General and the attorneys who have taken this case on a contingency. Together, they stand strong in their belief in the people of Guam,” Lt. Governor Ray Tenorio stated.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (From the Office of the Attorney General of Guam)
Over the weekend, Judge Ketanji Jackson from the United States District Court for the District Court of Columbia denied the U.S. Government’s Motion to Dismiss in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Government of Guam last year.
The U.S. Government, in its motion, argued that GovGuam exceeded the statute of limitations to file under CERCLA. Ruling in favor of the OAG, Judge Jackson will issue her reasoning in a Memorandum Opinion, to be announced shortly.
The OAG’s federal lawsuit against the United States Department of Navy is being litigated by a Houston-based law firm that specializes in environmental law. Credit goes to attorneys John Gilmour and Bill Jackson from the law firm Kelley, Drye & Warren.
