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EPA awards $1.96M to BECQ
SAN FRANCISCO—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1.96 million to the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality to strengthen its capacity to protect human health and the environment.
“The CNMI government has been a great partner in environmental protection,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “We are pleased to support the CNMI BECQ, which is committed to achieving a better environment for all the residents of CNMI.”
BECQ uses EPA funding to support inspections, emergency responses, radon assessments, coral reef protection, monitoring of beaches and water quality, drinking water improvements, cleanups of contaminated lands and polluted streams, and support for safe use of pesticides.
“The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality through its Division of Environmental Quality has developed a strong partnership with the…EPA in the development and implementation of environmental programs that aims to protect public health and the environment of the CNMI,” said CNMI BECQ administrator Eli Cabrera. “The continued funding support and technical assistance from the EPA has been pivotal in the enhancement of DEQ’s environmental programs and the capacity-building trainings that have broaden[ed] the capability DEQ’s personnel in all areas of environmental protection.”
BECQ extend its appreciation on behalf of the CNMI for EPA’s support in the response and recovery from the devastation of Super Typhoon Yutu.
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 more than 50 million people. (PR)
