E.P.A. awards over $1.9 million to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands for environmental protection
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Category: Grants and AwardsType: News
Source: EPA
Date: Wednesday, July 15th, 2015
HONOLULU - The E.P.A. has awarded over $1.9 million to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands in federal funds for CNMI environmental programs to continue environmental protection work.
"CNMI will continue to actively pursue its goals of clean air, water and land," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA's Regional Administrator. "This backing will enable continued plan work and enhancements to result in a better environment for the residents of CNMI."
The critical backing will go to support the operations of the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ). The work done by the agency includes inspections, monitoring the safety of beaches and drinking water, and permit writing. Priorities include:
· Protection of Saipan watersheds by reducing pollution sources such as outhouses, illegal on-site disposal systems, piggeries, urban runoff, and livestock grazing. · Protection of coral reefs and public health by monitoring beaches and water quality, and implementing recently updated Water Quality Standards.
· Conducting a Radon assessment at selected homes and institutional buildings; · Implementation of a Conservation Action Project to reduce and mitigate stormwater runoff for the Garapan area; · Ensuring potable drinking water for the residents of CNMI; · Elimination of the illegal importation of pesticides and use of unregistered/foreign pesticides; · Inspections to help ensure safe underground and above ground fuel storage tanks; · Emergency response, hazardous waste, and clean air plan management; · Enhancements to automate, standardize, and provide real-time access for sharing environmental data.
The EPA's Pacific Southwest Region (Region 9) administers and enforces federal environmental laws in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the Pacific Islands and 148 tribal nations -- home to in excess of 48 million people.
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