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DEQ probing alleged illegal dumping
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Posted on Jan 01 2005
The Division of Environmental Quality said it is currently investigating the alleged illegal dumping incident at Koblerville and that proper sanctions will be imposed on those responsible if the probe finds them liable.
DEQ director John I. Castro said in an interview that he has already received the reports from his staff and is currently reviewing them.
“We’re doing what we can,” he said. “Yes, a notice of violation is coming.”
Musung Corp., a construction company, was reportedly caught creating an illegal landfill at its jobsite in a Koblerville residential area, digging a trench about 20 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. Debris from an old structure was allegedly dumped into the hole in violation of CNMI environmental laws.
Castro explained that the DEQ cannot give a citation right away.
“We cannot do that,” he said. “The only time we can give a citation on the spot is if it’s a littering citation. [With this incident] we have to give due process. It has to be investigated.”
Witnesses said Musung was initially seen getting rid of the debris using a dump truck. Later, its workers were allegedly seen digging a deep trench and burying tins, rebars, and broken concrete on the ground. The “landfill” is reportedly located in a public lot.
A Musung worker, however, said the digging was a result of a misunderstanding. The worker said that debris was really up for transport to the Marpi landfill but when he delegated the work to another worker, the latter misunderstood his instructions and dug the trench.
The issue has caught the attention of House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, who, in a letter to Castro, pushed for an investigation into the alleged incident.
“I would like your office to investigate and verify this allegation and provide my office with the details of the alleged incident. If the incident did take place, I would like to know whether the appropriate permits were requested and issued for the excavation, and whether any sanctions or remedies were imposed if a regulatory violation did occur,” said Fitial.
