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OIA OKs $40,000 grant for CRM
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Posted on Mar 01 1999
The Office of Insular Affairs has extended a technical assistance grant to the Northern Marianas under an agreement forged in Washington which was designed to help the island in its efforts to preserve the coral reefs.
The grant, signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and OIA Director Allen P. Stayman in Washington last week, will be awarded to the Coastal Resource Management to boost the agency’s program in the protection and preservation of the coral reefs.
The technical assistance amounting to $40,000 will help finance CRM’s six-point program that includes implementation of a reef ball placement to create sanctuaries for the coral, installation of sign boards on how to protect the environment at key beach areas, educational campaign to encourage the protection of reefs, and purchase of underwater equipment for its monitoring team.
Part of the grant will be earmarked to fund travels of CRM staff to coral reef conferences and development of an educational CD-Rom on the coral reef environment in the Northern Marianas.
Officials said the program, which was put together by CRM staff, will not only help preserve CNMI’s coral reefs but will also provide a source of jobs and income from fishing and tourism.
