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CRMO fines garment firm $10K
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Posted on Jun 14 2004
The Coastal Resources Management Office imposed a $10,000 fine on a garment firm Friday for pushing through with the construction of a barracks without a permit despite an earlier directive to stop the activity.
An inspection conducted by the CRMO’s enforcement officers revealed that Hyunjin Saipan Inc. has fully completed construction work and that the company’s workers were already occupying the barracks.
CRMO director Joaquin D. Salas said Hyunjin not only failed to apply for an amended permit to legalize the construction work, but also ignored an order he earlier issued for the company to stop the activity. The company constructed a 10-unit building measuring 130 ft by 24 ft, according to the CRMO.
Salas notified the Saipan Garment Manufacturers Association about Hyunjin’s violations of CRMO regulations. The SGMA had earlier agreed to cooperate with CRM agencies to address environmental concerns within the factories as part of the association’s initiative for the year 2004.
The CRMO said it first discovered Hyunjin’s construction activity during a routine inspection last April 15. The CRMO found out that the construction work did not have a valid permit, with Hyunjin failing to apply for an amendment to an existing permit to cover the activity.
The agency then issued an April 22 order directing that the activity be stopped. A follow-up inspection at Hyunjin’s premises on May 25 revealed, however, that the barracks was already completed and was being occupied by its staff.
Salas said Hyunjin should pay the fine immediately, compelling the company to bring the constructed facility into compliance by applying for and obtaining a permit. He threatened the company with additional sanctions if it disregards the enforcement action.
Salas, however, reminded Hyunjin of its right to a hearing, advising the company that it could submit a written request within 30 days since receiving the enforcement action last Friday.
“Failure to make a written request within the time allowed will cause you to lose your rights to appeal this notice,” he said.
