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DCRM assesses $6K penalty vs GPPC/K-Parts
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’s Division of Coastal Resources Management has assessed a $6,0000 penalty against GPPC Inc./K-Parts through a consent order entered on March 17, 2021.
In its enforcement notice on Feb. 9, 2021, DCRM alleged that K-Parts, a subsidiary of GPPC, Inc., sold graded material from a project site in Gualo Rai without a valid DCRM permit and, in doing so, participated in an unauthorized quarrying activity. A quarry is a “major siting” that must be permitted prior to commencement of quarrying activity. The parties entered into a consent order as a good faith settlement of the enforcement issue. The consent order is not considered an admission of a violation. The penalty has been paid to the CNMI Department of Finance.
Compliance with permitting requirements is critical to ensuring that development of all projects located in an area of particular concern or constitute a “major siting” does not have an adverse impact on the CNMI’s coastal resources.
“DCRM is pleased that the parties were able to resolve this enforcement issue without the time and expense of a formal enforcement hearing, and hopes news of this settlement will remind all developers in the CNMI to obtain a permit from DCRM before starting any regulated activity,” said DCRM enforcement officer Tom Pangelinan.
DCRM’s permitting regulations can be found on cnmilaw.org in Chapter 15-20 of the Administrative Code. Additional information and guidance can be found on DCRM’s website at www.dcrm.gov.mp. (PR)
