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Enforce anti-littering law
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Posted on Mar 10 2009
I am a sophomore at Saipan Southern High School. Last week I participated in the Beautify CNMI monthly cleanup of Garapan and was terribly frustrated with all the garbage I found in almost every corner. After spending 90 minutes under the hot sun, my partner and I filled up about four huge bags with trash. The majority of this trash consisted of beer bottles, paper plates, and cans—all things that could have easily been disposed of properly.
When I went home, I looked up some information about littering. I found that the CNMI has a Commonwealth Litter Control Act of 1989 (Public Law 6-37) that provides for a $500 fine for littering and that the Division of Environmental Quality, Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works, Department of Public Safety, Department of Public Health, Division of Fish & Wildlife, Coastal Resources Management, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Marianas Visitors Authority all employ litter control officers.
Knowing this information, I wonder how many litter tickets have been issued in the last 12 months?
If our Commonwealth Litter Control Act were enforced, we would have a cleaner island. A cleaner island would benefit tourism and improve the quality of life for everyone who lives here.
I ask that the government enforce our litter laws so that people like me don’t have to spend our weekends picking up other people’s garbage. I also realize that the community and businesses are responsible and I ask that they stop littering and put pressure on those who do to stop.
[B]Jacquelyn Johanna B. David[/B] [I]San Antonio, Saipan[/I]
