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Torres establishes Governor’s Environmental Council
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Posted on Mar 24 2022
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signs Executive Order 2022-05 that establishes the Governor’s Environmental Council during the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers general meeting yesterday morning. (Contributed Photo)
Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres signed yesterday an executive order that creates the Governor’s Environmental Council, which will be tasked for, among other responsibilities, the formulation of policy initiatives or community activities to encourage environmental protection, conservation, and sustainable development.
Under Executive Order 2022-05, the GEC’s other responsibility is to give the governor recommendations on environmental issues relating to the administration of the Executive Branch and its departments and agencies.
The executive order states that the long-term interests of all CNMI residents “would be best served through providing members of the public a voice in the critical issues facing its environment and initiatives that will see the lasting protection of the Commonwealth’s resources for future generations.”
The GEC, which will be within the Executive Branch, shall be chaired by a representative of the CNMI community chosen by Torres and members shall be appointed at the governor’s discretion.
Torres shall appoint members from various government and non-government sectors who hold backgrounds and expertise in environmental policy, conservation, and environmental activism.
Members will serve as environmental advisers to the governor at no expense to the CNMI government. Member shall be removed at the governor’s discretion or by a vote of the GEC members.
The GEC will meet at least once every three months.
Other GEC responsibilities are the following:
The creation of detailed reports to advance environmental policy initiatives beneficial to the CNMI population.
Conducting a review of current environmental laws and policies to determine their efficacy in protecting the environment.
Proposing studies to be conducted related to the CNMI environment, to include surveys, valuation studies, cost benefit analyses, and willingness to pay estimations.
