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BECQ to charge storage fee for impounded pesticides
The Bureau of Environmental Quality recently published the adoption of rule regarding the pesticide storage fees in the Commonwealth Register, Volume 37, Number 1 dated Jan. 28, 2015.
The purpose and objective of the rule is to ensure compliance with the CNMI Pesticide Regulations. The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’s Division of Environmental Quality requires the consignee/importer who imports a pesticide or device that has been detained or denied entry and impounded to pay a non-refundable storage fee. These fees shall be based on the volume and characteristics. Additional fees related to cartage, labor, shipping, and disposal costs may be assessed in accordance with the Pesticide Regulations.
BECQ administrator Frank M. Rabauliman says the bureau wants to ensure the safety and welfare of DEQ employees, the agents that intercept the illegal pesticides, and members of the public and the protection of the environment. Thus, while awaiting proper disposition of detained, seized, or impounded pesticides, we need the ability to charge a nominal storage fee.
According to Reina Camacho, pesticides branch manager, the bureau will assess a non-refundable storage fee of $15 per day for each storage container (i.e., 55-gallon drum) starting from the date of interception by DEQ or authorized agents, until the pesticides and or devices are returned or disposed.
“It is important that we recover some costs with storage as the agency and importer are negotiating disposal or shipment,” added Camacho.
For more information about the storage fees, contact BECQ at 664-8500 or send an email to storagetankspesticides@deq.gov.mp. (BECQ)
