Well runs dry for USGS program

Faced with a lack of funding, the U.S. Geological Survey’s cooperative program in the CNMI may have to end this year.

In a recent letter to USGS Hawaii office, Lt. Gov. and CNMI Water Task Force chair Diego T. Benavente said that the local government failed to secure funding for the program.

“This is to regretfully inform your office that the CNMI is unable to secure the funding necessary to sustain USGS operations in the CNMI for the rest of the calendar year,” said Benavente in an Aug. 18, 2005 letter to Gordon W. Tribble, USGS Pacific Islands Water Science Center director.

Benavente said that the Water Task Force has been in contact with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Insular Affairs for funding opportunities for the USGS program.

“Unfortunately, both agencies were unable to assist at this point,” he said.

Benavente said the administration “would much prefer that the program continue.” He said the task force would continue to search for funds for the program.

The USGS program in the CNMI requires a 50-50 matching fund. The CNMI provides some $170,000 a year to the program.

USGS has been operating in the CNMI for 16 years now, mainly assisting the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the water task force in assessing water resources.

Vice Speaker Timothy P. Villagomez has appealed to the Interior Department for help in securing funds for the program.

In a letter addressed to OIA deputy assistant secretary David Cohen yesterday, Villagomez said his committee “is surprised that the administration has not sought assistance [from us] to help identify funds to continue” the USGS program.

Villagomez, a former CUC executive director, currently heads the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications.

“I understand the significance and contributions made by the resident hydrologist of the USGS cooperative program. …It is my opinion that that the CNMI would lose a critical partner in our joint effort to improve public health and make 24-hour potable water a reality on Saipan,” said the congressman.

He said that the USGS-CUC program for groundwater exploration assessment and technical assistance “has been one of the most beneficial local/federal government relationships in the CNMI.”

USGS hydrologic investigation reports are road maps for correct sustainable development of the CNMI’s fragile and finite water resources, he said.

Further, he said that USGS’ presence on Saipan is a resource for other agencies.

In his letter, Villagomez said additional funding should be secured to keep the USGS office on Saipan for at least the next three years.

“We must take immediate action to secure financing or a grant to keep the USGS office in Saipan. …We have come so far and are nearing the finish line. Let us not pull the plug on this valuable program, particularly after receiving professional recommendations highlighting the importance of the USGS field office as a vital resource,” he said.