COMMUNITY BRIEFS – April 30, 2014

Detonation of WWII ordnance moved to May 2

Due to the Tropical Storm Tapah, the planned detonation of unexploded World War II ordnance has been moved from Thursday, May 1, 2014, to Friday, May 2, 2014. The Department of Public Safety will be blocking off the northern part of Saipan, from Marpi north, on May 2, 2014, from 12pm to 3pm. The purpose of this blockage is to dispose of the collection of unexploded ordinance that has been collected by the Department of Public Safety Explosive Response Team.

We are requesting all visitors to these popular areas of the island make arrangements to visit either in the morning before the 12pm deadline or after the operation has completed at 3pm. Anyone with questions can contact the Explosives Response Team Operational Supervisor Sgt. Anthony I. Macaranas at (670) 483-5818. (DPS)

Election office in Susupe opens every Saturday 

The Commonwealth Election Commission would like to inform all CNMI residents that are U.S citizens that the commission’s office in Susupe will be open every Saturday, starting May 3, 2014, from 10am to 2pm for those CNMI residents who would like to register to vote for the 2014 general election to be held on Nov. 4, 2014. As initiative(s) regarding Article 7 of the NMI Constitution will also be on the November ballot, registration for Northern Marianas Descent Registry will also be accepted. CNMI residents who wish to register to vote must provide a copy of a valid U.S passport or a certification of live birth as proof of U.S citizenship. Those who wish to register for the Northern Marianas Decent Registry must provide a copy of their certificate of live birth. For more information, contact the Commonwealth Election Commission office at 664-VOTE (8683). (CEC)

1 Saipan beach red-flagged

The Division of Environmental Quality has red-flagged the Obyan Beach on Saipan and is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of this location for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified. Samples collected from this location contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water. DEQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainage every Tuesday. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (DEQ)

BECQ Cleanup Brigade eyes Tank Beach

The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’s Cleanup Brigade will be at it again, picking up trash at Tank Beach in Kagman this Saturday, May 3, 2014, at 8am.

If you would like to volunteer your time to clean and beautify our island, please meet the BECQ representatives on Saturday at Tank Beach at 8am. Volunteers will split into groups and clean until 10am and break for drinks and then continue, if needed.

This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least 10 monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participate in at least three cleanups will receive a brigade t-shirt. For more information about volunteering, contact the BECQ office at 664-8500/1. (BECQ)