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Lawmakers seek help to curb pollution
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Posted on Jul 25 2000
Lawmakers have appealed to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to seek assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a plan that will reduce pollution and other environmental impact of water runoff on the lagoon surrounding the three main islands.
In a resolution adopted by the House of Representatives Friday, they said a comprehensive water runoff system must be put in place on Saipan, Tinian and Rota to prevent pollutants being washed off from some areas during rainstorms.
Offered by Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, the resolution comes amid mounting concerns on the conditions of several beaches on Saipan that have been found to contain harmful bacteria, especially after a storm.
The Division of Environmental Quality earlier has asked the Legislature’s support in the agency’s efforts to reverse the present rate of pollution in Saipan lagoon which is affecting the image of the CNMI as a tourist destination.
Such assistance may be provided in identifying funding for storm drainage/stormwater quality improvement structures and sewer system upgrades which may require large capital expenditures.
The presence of fecal bacteria in beaches has been traced when the disease-causing organisms are washed into the lagoon during rainstorms, which may be due to malfunctioning, overflowing or clogging of sewerlines.
Although the government issues permit before development projects can take place to monitor its impact on the environment, this is not sufficient to resolve the existing problem of runoff from these projects and road that were previously built without adequate storm water control measures, the resolution said.
Reversing the present rate of lagoon pollution will require better planning, design and constructive of the comprehensive water runoff system, according to the House.
They maintained that the assistance of the Army Corps is in order in drawing up such a plan.
