EPA lauds NMI Coral Reef Task Force

The CNMI’s Coral Reef Task Force was singled out for praise during the recently concluded U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting held in Washington D.C., with Environmental Protection Agency Region IX representatives commending the CNMI’s efforts to preserve its coral reefs.

EPA representatives John McCarroll, Michael Lee and Pat Young took turns praising the Division of Environmental Quality, especially its officers such as marine biologist Peter Houk for his leadership and a positive influence in the Pacific region.

They also commended DEQ program officer Fran Castro for representing the CNMI very well during the summit. Castro was accompanied by Lt. Gov. Tim Villagomez during the Coral Reef Task Force summit last week.

In a news briefing held Friday at the DEQ office in Gualo Rai, McCarroll, the EPA Pacific Islands Office manager, related how the CNMI was especially commended by EPA officers for its efforts in preserving and monitoring the good health of the coral reefs in CNMI waters.

He added that Houk’s work is highly recognized for influencing this year’s national standards in assessing coral reefs across the nation and its territories. McCarroll said most of the CNMI’s efforts in preserving and monitoring coral reefs would be printed in the upcoming 2006 publication of manuals for this program.

McCarroll said that one of the favorable consequences of the CNMI Coral Reef Task Force’s team effort is best amplified through the assistance the CNMI team gave American Samoa in helping them to assess and develop their own coral reef monitoring system.

In June 1998, Presidential Executive Order 13-089 established the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. Its mission is to lead, coordinate, and strengthen U.S. government actions to better preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems.

The Task Force is co-chaired by the departments of Commerce and of the Interior, and includes leaders of 12 federal agencies, seven U.S. states and territories, and three freely associated states.

To implement the policies and requirements of the Executive Order, the task force has provided a forum for coordinated planning and action among federal agencies, state and territorial governments, and nongovernmental partners, said the website. To fulfill its mission, the task force developed national strategies, targeted initiatives, and new partnerships to strengthen stewardship of the coral reef ecosystems in the United States, territories, commonwealths, and internationally.