US EPA backs DEQ, CRM merger

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency not only backs the merger of the Division of Environmental Quality and the Coastal Resources Management but also describes it as “unquestionably a precedent-setting move and will undoubtedly bring recognition to the CNMI in their continuing role as a leader in the Pacific territories.”

“There are no other states or territories in which the EPA and NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] programs come under one leader. This will be a first, and it can only be good,” said U.S. EPA’s CNMI program manager Carl L. Goldstein, on behalf of U.S. EPA Pacific Islands Office manager John McCarroll.

This, as the CNMI House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations is recommending to the full House to reject Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ Nov. 12 executive order merging DEQ and CRM.

The JGO believes that the reorganization would result in loss of funds. But the governor and DEQ director Frank Rabauliman said this is not the case.

The Legislature has 60 days from Nov. 12 to either modify or reject the governor’s executive order, or the merger becomes effective after Jan. 12.

But rejecting or modifying the executive order requires a majority vote of the members of each of the chambers of the Legislature.

Rep. John Paul Sablan (Cov-Saipan), the only JGO panel member who wanted to recommend letting the full House decide on the governor’s executive order, said a statement from both EPA and NOAA as grantor agencies regarding the merger would carry much weight as to how the Legislature should decide on the matter. But his suggestion was defeated.

So far, only U.S. EPA’s statement of support has been obtained.

EPA’s Goldstein said the impact on EPA and NOAA funding “can only be positive.”

“EPA and NOAA have joined together in the effort to protect the coral reefs and marine waters of the U.S. and the territories. By having their respective territorial agencies under one management and leadership, it will undoubtedly provide the foundation for opportunities for additional funding,” he said.

He also said EPA “cannot say enough good things about the move.”

“In my conversation with NOAA, they also think the merger of CRM and DEQ will substantially improve CNMI’s overall management and protection of environmental resources,” Goldstein said in a letter to DEQ’s Rabauliman.

Goldstein said in Rabauliman’s tenure as DEQ director, he has clearly demonstrated to EPA his “dedication and knowledge of the management of EPA and CRM programs, by continually meeting EPA’s strategic objectives and goals, and CNMI environmental and public health priorities, which are implemented through your EPA consolidated grant.”

“We also understand that Fran [Castro] and yourself and DEQ have had substantial involvement with making the CRM program successful over these many years. With both EPA and CRM under your leadership and having very capable managers and staff (in this case I can only speak of DEQ), your community, federal grantor agencies, and the CNMI environmental resource program, will experience a well orchestrated reliable, dedicated, and efficient service,” Goldstein added.

The governor’s executive order, which seeks better efficiency and eliminate duplication of work, establishes the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality. It will be headed by an administrator and will have two divisions: DEQ and CRM.