DEQ, EPA to press for permit • Officials fear further delay in Marpi landfill project

Amid concerns on the delay in the construction of Marpi landfill, the Division of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will press for the issuance of permit that will pave the way for the closure of Puerto Rico dump as scheduled.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s approval is required to begin work on the landfill in Marpi, but the federal agency has expressed apprehension on its effect on the endangered nightingale reed warblers, birds that are endemic to the Northern Marianas.

He said the Northern Marianas will implement the necessary mitigation measures to protect the reed warbler. “This has been as problem since 1980 and we do not want to allow this to go on because we have to consider the health of the community,” said Cabrera.

Solid Waste Program manager John Harder said failure to get the permit soon will further push back the opening of the Marpi landfill in late 2000.

A transfer station will be established in the Lower Base area to reduce overall hauling costs, minimize traffic impact and significantly reduce the possibility of illegal dumping.

In a move to better plan the size and projected use of the new landfill and other facilities, waste surveys have been conducted to determine the type, volume and weight of wastes currently being dumped in Puerto Rico.

The Division of Solid Waste Management has initiated management strategies to improve the existing operations at the Puerto Rico dump and is developing a system of tipping fees, or charges for the disposal of solid waste, which will help defray the costs of operations.

The CNMI government has already appointed Hawaii-based consultancy firm Harding Lawson Associates to carry out the design of a new landfill in Marpi and develop an island-wide solid waste management plan.

Among the various tasks given to the company include conducting an analysis of the waste currently being taken to Puerto Rico dumpsite, implementing a year-long education campaign, drawing up a conceptual design of waste energy and recycling facilities and also designing the transfer stations that will eventually replace Puerto Rico.

George T.S. How, vice president of Harding Lawson Associates, has pledged to fast-track the project but the federal regulations which required the submission of technical plans and permits have been taking so much of their time.

Since meeting federal regulations and design process will take about 6 months plus 9 to 10 months of actual construction work, the new landfill in Marpi will be open by October 2000. The Solid Waste Division is evaluating the technical, environmental and economic aspects of building an incinerator so that the landfill would last longer than expected.