Delay in Marpi landfill irks Teno
Saying the health of the people is facing greater risks without the immediate closure of the Puerto Rico dump site, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday raised fresh concerns over the delay in the issuance of permit by federal agencies that would pave way for the construction of the proposed landfill in Marpi.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Division has required the CNMI to protect endangered species found in the northern tip of Saipan near where the new dump site will be built — a process that has stalled the multi-phase project.
According to Tenorio, the government needs about 200 hectares of land in Marpi for the mitigation but it has been difficult to get the approval because of the presence of these protected wildlife.
“We’d like to see the endangered species protected, but at the same time what about the health of our people? Which is more important?” he asked.
“We have to follow the Fish and Wildlife regulations but at the same time they have to look into the issue as to the health of the community over here,” added the governor.
Tenorio met with Division of Environmental Quality Director Ike Cabrera and officials of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to discuss the delay in the construction of landfill project and closure of the Puerto Rico dump site. Further discussion was conducted later in the afternoon.
“I am very much concerned. It’s about time,” the governor explained. “The Puerto Rico dump is getting to be a health hazard and I hate to see happen that if a fire occurs, it will endanger the health of our people.”
He said thick smoke may force a shutdown of nearby schools and immediate evacuation of hotel guests as it is near the Garapan central district.
“I would like to see (the dump site) close down as soon as possible,” added Tenorio.
Harding Lawson Associates, the Hawaii-based consultancy firm, was hired last June to carry out the design of the Marpi landfill and develop an island-wide solid waste management plan.
Since meeting federal regulations and design process will take about six months, plus nine to 10 months of actual construction, the new landfill will open by October 2000.
While the Solid Waste Task Force has yet to determine actual costs of the entire plan, the federal government and the Legislature have already set aside $16 million for the closure of the existing dump site and the construction of the landfill.
House representatives previously had urged the administration to revive a study on Kalabera as a “contingency landfill” to Marpi which has a 40-hectare lot with a potential to become a “safer and healthier environment” for the tons of trash collected everyday.
