House member protests use of Pacific waters to transport nuke wastes

The House of Representatives yesterday protested the use of sea lanes in the Pacific region to transport nuclear wastes which could result to widespread destruction and contamination of air and marine resources in this part of the world.

In a resolution offered by Rep. Melvin O. Faisao and adopted by members, the CNMI called on the United States government to consult with the governor prior to allowing any foreign ship carrying nuclear waste to pass through the exclusive economic zone of the Northern Marianas.

The move also urged Washington to inform the island government of any known shipments that may be passing near its waters to alert residents of any harmful impact of such action.

“[T]he people of the CNMI have the moral, if not legal, right to be involved in the decision making process with regards to such dangerous shipments which may pass close to our shores, and put our people at risk,” read the resolution.

The shipments are carried out between Japan and Europe to transport nuclear wastes for reprocessing and then back for use as fuel for nuclear reactors in Japan where it is the main source of electricity.

According to Mr. Faisao, the most common route for such shipments is around Cape Horn and through the Pacific going either to or from Japan, which brings them close to the CNMI territorial waters.

The Tokyo government, he claims, plans to have at least 30 roundtrips to bring its nuclear wastes to Europe that will pass through this region for the next 10 years aboard the vessel Pacific Teal.

Each shipment is expected to carry 10 casks of nuclear wastes, with each one containing 575 times more radioactive cesium and strontium released by the atomic bomb in Hiroshima during World War II.

“[T]he magnitude of destruction which would occur in the event of an accident would be an event unprecedented in human history, and would result in widespread contamination throughout the area [that[ would last for hundreds of years,” added the resolution.

This is the first time the Commonwealth has reacted strongly on the use of its waters for shipment of nuclear wastes and other radioactive materials. The federal government, however, has the responsibility to monitor these events.

The House asked U.S. officials to consult the local government and inform them when shipments are passing either close to or through the waters in view of the dangers associated with it.

Meanwhile, members also adopted five other resolutions during their session yesterday, among them:

– to request the U.S. Department of Defense to substantially increase its presence here;

– to condole with and support Taiwan in the aftermath of the recent massive earthquake that rocked the island nation last Sept. 21;

– to authorize the governor and other administration officials to reprogram the unexpended balance of $75,649 for renovation of Oleai and Garapan Elementary Schools;

– to congratulate Jonas M. Barcinas for being the 2000 Teacher of the Year in the CNMI; and

– to approve the $211,144,567 projected revenues for FY 2000 by the Tenorio administration.