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CNMI water and wastewater issues in talks with EPA
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Posted on Mar 07 2006
Two Environmental Protection Agency officials met with CNMI Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio last week to brief him on the status of EPA actions in the Commonwealth.
“EPA has a long history with the CNMI, and though at times it appears that they are not on our side, they are. They want to help us. They share my concerns about our lack of water and the fact that we can’t drink the water we have,” said Tenorio.
Pacific Islands Office manager John McCarroll and Guam program manager Ben Machol, who is working out of the Region 9 office in San Francisco, met with Tenorio to discuss the proposed bond bank under discussion by the IGIA and pending EPA action on the CNMI’s failure to comply with their standards.
Due to financial constraints, the CNMI has been unable to make the necessary improvements in its water system, repair faulty sewage treatment facilities, and to construct waste incineration at the ports that conform to EPA standards.
“Though it sounds very harsh, EPA may have to take legal action to help us. It seems that once it is in the courts they have a little more flexibility with their programs and funds. We won’t be able to fix all of these problems by ourselves,” added Tenorio.
“I will encourage Governor [Benigno R.] Fitial and Lt. Governor [Timothy] Villagomez to work closely with Mr. McCarroll and his office. Our water and sewage problems reflect poorly on EPA, and I have found them very knowledgeable and helpful.” (PR)
