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BECQ-DCRM receives $1.1 million in NOAA funding for coastal resources management
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently awarded the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’s Division of Coastal Resources Management $1.1 million for the continued support of the CNMI’s coastal management program in fiscal year 2020.
“[DCRM] has successfully and continuously secured grant funding to mitigate coastal resources concerns and restore heavily affected coastal zones,” said BECQ administrator Eli Cabrera.
Administered by DCRM, the CNMI’s coastal management program was first approved by NOAA in 1980. The CNMI joins 33 other coastal states and territories in the National Coastal Zone Management Program, a voluntary federal-state partnership that protects, restores, and responsibly develops our nation’s coastal communities and resources by balancing economic development, coastal uses, and natural resource protection. DCRM continues to promote conservation and wise use of the CNMI’s coastal resources through various projects and processes.
DCRM director Janice Castro explained the funding will support many of the CRM’s initiatives for a sustainable environment.
Castro emphasized that DCRM works to promote stewardship of the CNMI’s coastal resources and inspire both present and future generations to do their part in caring for our environment.
“This month, DCRM is coordinating the annual International Coastal Cleanup and invites the community to participate in the world’s largest single-day volunteer effort to remove trash from our coasts and waterways,” she said
This year, ICC will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. Last year, the CNMI had 1,532 volunteers collect 9,180 pounds of trash from 50 locations.
For more information or to sign up, contact Colleen Flores at 664-8300 or cflores@dcrm.gov.mp.
Moreover, DCRM encourages the community to participate in Micronesia Cleanup Day on Sept. 13, 2019, which will be organized by the Office of the Governor, BECQ, and private partners in collaboration with the Micronesian Islands Forum.
For more information or to sign up, contact BECQ at 664-8500. (PR)
