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DEQ awarded at annual EPA ceremony
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Posted on Apr 22 2005
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented the CNMI’s Division of Environmental Quality with an award yesterday, in recognition of its efforts to protect and preserve the environment in 2004.
U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri presented a plaque to the DEQ at the agency’s seventh annual Environmental Awards Ceremony held yesterday in San Francisco.
“The EPA applauds the outstanding achievements of these environmental heroes,” said Nastri. “Thanks to their efforts, our air, water and land will be cleaner and safer for generations to come.”
The EPA also presented awards to 37 businesses, government officials, tribes, environmental organizations and citizen activists selected from a pool of more than 175 nominees.
The EPA Region 9 Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitment and significant contributions to the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, the Pacific Islands and tribal lands.
EPA said that the DEQ was recognized in yesterday’s ceremony because it protects and preserves the islands environment despite the many challenges facing it.
“Despite limited resources, the department has the most extensive marine monitoring program in the Pacific Region. It collects and tests marine waters year round, working with local and federal agencies. It has also assisted American Samoa in establishing a marine monitoring program. Its monthly volunteer beach cleanup program, the ‘Clean-Up Brigade,’ continues to be a great community success. Each year, it also marks Earth Day with an environmental symposium. The department is an active force that continues to work in partnership with local and federal agencies to accomplish its mission of protecting the environment and public,” EPA said.
