Previous Story
Teno stand firm on efforts to protect the environment
|
Posted on Apr 06 2001
The improper disposal of household chemicals and other hazardous materials into the environment corrupts the quality of land, air, water and other natural resources in the Commonwealth.
According to the Division of Environmental Quality, the conditions of lakes, underground aquifers, and drinking water in the Northern Marianas are currently under threat from improper disposal of various chemicals and substances.
DEQ said there is a need to educate the public on the ills of the improper dumping of automobile oil and batteries, as well as on the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, animal waste from uncontrolled livestock, wastewater, and erosion from ill-designed earthmoving and construction activities.
To ensure that the quality of natural resources is given an utmost attention, the DEQ saw the need to launch a CNMI-wide campaign about the Commonwealth Environmental Protection Act.
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday made a strong stand on the preservation and conservation of the islands’ natural resources when he signed a proclamation endorsing April 21-28 as Environmental Awareness Week.
Mr. Tenorio also endorsed April 22 as CNMI Earth Day and urged the public to take an active role in protecting the environment for the future generations.
He said the Commonwealth Environmental Protection Act also establishes policies to support the implementation of the rights of the people to clean air, land and water.
The Act empowers DEQ to develop, implement, and enforce these policies to ensure that natural resources are preserved, and that environmental concerns are properly addressed.
With the theme, “Let’s do our share for clean water everywhere,” the agency hopes to raise public awareness on the community’s dependence on water and the significant role it plays for survival.
“We drink it, play in it, water our gardens with it, eat with it, and cook our food with it. It is essential for our survival and we need to ensure its cleanliness,” said the governor.
