The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Oct. 7 about the burn pit on Andersen Air Force Base.
In January 2022, the group Protehi Guahan filed a lawsuit against the Air Force over open burning and bomb detonation on the base, arguing the munition disposal process did not undergo proper environmental review.
The Ninth Circuit Court ruled in favor of Protehi Guahan, and the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to review the decision.
Last week, the group Right to Democracy filed an amicus brief on behalf of 18 community-based environmental and cultural organizations across all five territories.
According to Right to Democracy co-founder Neil Weare, the case is important because it will determine what level of environmental review and public participation is required of the military and other federal agencies when disposing of hazardous waste in U.S. territories.