BeachRAMP education site to open along pathway

The Beach Road Area Management Project Environmental Quality Outdoor Education Center is set to host its first event in the vicinity of the World War II tank on Beach Road near Quartermaster Road. With a few finishing touches remaining, major features are ready for service.

The new facility provides a lagoon-side outdoor setting for environmental education, targeting schools, community groups, technicians and anyone who is interested in learning ways to prevent nonpoint source pollution. The demonstrated use of best management practices abounds in the area. Come May 17, a hundred 6th Grade students from San Vicente Elementary School, as part of their end-of-the year annual retreat, will hold a workday to assist in the “greening” of the area. They will also learn some details of the demonstration BMPs.

The centers’ construction was funded by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Division of Environmental Quality. The facilities include a presentation stage featuring marine-themed mosaic art on the floor. Terraced seating for 50 or more forms a mini-amphitheater. Parking in the area uses grass and porous pavement materials innovatively designed to absorb water runoffs and the amount flowing directly into the lagoon.

Extensive landscaping beautifies the area in a manner that protects the environment. Interpretive signs describe a variety of best management practices for NPS control. Signs describe buffer zones, recycling, slope protection, bioretention, heavy use area protection, geotextiles, and more. Visitors will see more than 50 BMPs that have been integrated into the facility. A new adjacent restroom facility nears completion. It features solar-powered electricity and water heater and an outdoor shower. The restroom and other BeachRAMP facilities are ADA accessible.

Beach RAMP was designed to demonstrate a variety of so-called BMPs for the control of pollution carried by rainwater runoff. “Non-point source pollution is becoming a big and serious problem in Saipan and other urbanizing areas in the Marianas,” said project manager Ivan Groom, who is also president of Northern Islands Company.

In an earlier series of public consultations, educating the general public on measures that can be incorporated into everyday activities was identified as a key to fighting the growing pollution problem.

The features making up the outdoor education arena demonstrate various techniques used to reduce water pollution. Beautifying the area with structures that protect the environment is a lesson that Saipan edifices can emulate. The outdoor classroom’s stage and small amphitheater is an additional resource to schools and others to use for outdoor education on pollution control and the natural environment.

In addition to funding from DEQ and EPA, major support to the Project has been provided by the Secretary of the Department of Public Works, Division of Highway Maintenance, Division of Energy, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation, Marianas Public Land Administration, Mayor of Saipan and the Historic Preservation Office. Others lending a big hand include the Friends of Saipan Beach Pathway, POWER, TREES, San Vicente School 6th grade class, T&S Construction, CREES, and the many individuals who provided daily encouragement and constructive ideas.

Technical, construction, landscaping and other hands-on assistance were provided by Calvo Development Corporation. For more information about the Outdoor Education Center, arranging for tours or presentations, call the Division of Environmental Quality at 664-8517.