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Transition panel lists ways of cutting red tape
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Posted on Jan 02 2006
Besides the creation of a “One-Stop Center” for permit applications, at least six other proposals to eliminate red tape were proposed during a recent meeting involving the transition committee and several key government agencies.
Transition committee chair Martin Manglona said that another way of making the permitting process easier for the public is the establishment of a unified application for key permits.
Coastal Resources Management director Steve Tilley said, though, that agencies involved in the streamlining effort should retain individual authority to issue permits. He said this could be facilitated if applications submitted and fees collected at the one-stop center are forwarded to involved agencies.
Manglona said another way to improve the permit application process is the establishment of a case manager function at the one-stop center. He said the case manager would serve as the applicant’s point of contact for intake and follow up, which would put the applicant directly in contact with agencies’ technical representatives when needed.
He said another way would be the creation of a computerized application and tracking system that would also help in coordinating the development of a compliance assistance package for new permittees.
An interagency technical review committee should be formed where each technical representative from each agency will be appointed. These representatives will then attend regular ad-hoc meetings to report progress and coordinate reviews.
Manglona also suggested that agencies like the Marianas Public Lands Authority, Commonwealth Ports Authority, and Department of Public Works submit projects early in their planning processes.
Lastly, agencies should review applications and make decisions in a timely manner, Manglona said.
Manglona met with officials of CRM, Division of Environmental Quality, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Historic Preservation Office, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., MPLA, DPW, and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce last Thursday morning at the CRM Conference Room in Oleai.
