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Bill pushing for more transfer stations with Torres
A Senate bill to establish a solid waste transfer station in Kagman and in the southern part of Saipan to alleviate illegal dumping was passed by the House of Representatives last Tuesday and now heads to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres for action.
Sen. Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan), the bill’s author, says the bill would create a “convenient station,” or a smaller version of a transfer station, which Saipan has only one in the Lower Base area.
“I hope the governor signs it so that the work begin,” Palacios told Saipan Tribune in an interview, adding that senators have had formal discussions with government agencies and departments overseeing solid waste, public works, public land, environmental quality, and natural resources and that they all are “willing” and agree that a transfer station should be established.
Palacios says if the bill becomes law it will trigger the executive branch to implement plans that, among others, will involve identifying property, acquiring property from the Department of Public Lands, determining a cost-estimate through the Department of Public Works.
Palacios also suggested that the transfer station could be funded through legislative appropriation, or a partnership with a private entity.
Palacios said members of the Legislature and community groups go out to clean the community but “we continue to have major issues continuing finding trash and solid waste, right after we clean the place and so that’s an issue and it becomes a necessity now. I think a simple idea like [this bill] will go far.”
