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One-Start Permitting process is further enhanced
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Posted on Apr 28 2023
From left, Historic Preservation Office state historic preservation officer Rita Chong, Indigenous Affairs Office resident director Ross Manglona, Division of Environmental Quality director Zabrina Mae S. Cruz, acting Coastal Resources Management director Robert Deleon Guerrero, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality administrator Eli D. Cabrera, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Mary S. Sablan, Division of Fish and Wildlife director Manny Pangelinan, acting Department of Lands and Natural Resources secretary Floyd Masga, and Office of the Governor special programs advisor Frank M. Rabauliman. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)
As part of the Palacios-Apatang administration’s priorities to make government processes more efficient, the administration announced yesterday that the permitting process that involves minor land clearing has been enhanced to reduce turnaround time for applicants.
The enhancement of the permitting process included cooperation by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, Division of Coastal Resources Management, Historic Preservation Office, and the Division of Environmental Quality, who recently renewed their One-Start memorandum of agreement.
One-Start is a streamlined permitting process aimed at ensuring efficiency and timely review and approval of land-clearing permits. It allows applicants to submit the application at DEQ with all the necessary requirements, such as the site map and land title, and route those copies of the application packet to other regulatory agencies for review. Once completed, DEQ then issues the permit with agency conditions that permittees must adhere to.
Through the One-Start permit, permittees are assured that all regulatory requirements from CRM, HPO, DFW, DEQ, and their respective federal counterparts have been met, and land clearing may commence. The prerequisite of the One-Start permit is the Zoning permit.
The One-Start process started during the Fitial administration and was further strengthened during the Inos administration when the DCRM and DEQ were merged under BECQ.
Also included in the agreement are the governor’s Cabinet-level department heads including Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Sylvian O. Igisomar, Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Mary S. Sablan, and Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality administrator Eli C. Cabrera.
Millions of federal dollars on infrastructure projects are often stalled, pending regulatory review. The Palacios-Apatang administration is fully committed to ensuring that environmental reviews are thorough without unnecessary delays. The next step will include a review of the major siting permitting process. (PR)
