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Clarification
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Posted on Dec 31 1999
I am writing in response to an article entitled “Marianas Cleaners ordered to Clean up contaminant” that appeared on page 8 of the Tuesday December 28, 1999 Saipan Tribune edition. I am the Resident Geologist and island representative of American Geological Services, Inc. (AGS), which is Marianas Cleaners contracted environmental consultant for the past three years.
The article stated “the DEQ has ordered the Marianas Cleaners to clean up the trichloroethylene or TCE, a cancer-causing chemical polluting the groundwater in Susupe Area”. As you can see, the first three paragraphs or about 85% of the article pertain to recent contamination discovered in December 1999 at the United International Corporation (UIC) and Suntex garment factories. Why, I ask is the Marianas Cleaners only outlined in the bold faced HEADLINES or even mentioned in this article which pertains to recently encountered contamination?
If the Saipan Tribune had done proper research, The Notice of Violation and Administrative Order from the DEQ was actually issued back to Marianas Cleaners on October 16, 1996. AGS and Marianas Cleaners have properly and lawfully continued to perform various environmental investigations at the site and operated a carbon treatment system which has treated over 25 million gallons of contaminated area and protect the environment. Although concentrations of TCE and other related compounds are still about DEQ cleanup criteria, the concentrations of TCE and tetrachloroethene specially have been reduced by over 97% since remediation begun three years ago. In addition, Marianas Cleaners will continue remediation of contaminated groundwater investigations once the DEQ completes their review of submitted Work Plans.
Mark Merline
Resident Geologist
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We suggest that Mr. Merline inquire with DEQ, the source of the information. The story was based on a DEQ press release. DEQ highlighted the violation by Marianas Cleaners, not Saipan Tribune. Eds.
