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CRM obtains $1M grant
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Posted on Jul 11 2005
The Coastal Resources Management Office received a grant of $1 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration last week to fund CRM’s management programs.
CRM deputy director Steve Tilley said the office would get $1,053,000 from NOAA to fund the many responsibilities of the office.
“From the permitting process, to the field inspections, and even hazardous material spill response, the CRM performs several federally and locally mandated projects throughout the year,” Tilley said.
He said CRMO is responsible for implementing federal and local programs aimed at preserving land and coastal resources for future generations.
Among its several programs, Tilley said the grant would help the office in providing public education programs, staff training, inter-island training, and preparation of annual reports that are included in federal studies to preserve the environment.
“We greatly appreciate this grant for the work it will enable us to perform,” said Tilley.
He said their recent projects include studies conducted in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on preventing runoff pollution from entering the Saipan Lagoon.
He said that runoff has been identified as a major source of pollution and is contributing to the destruction of the coral reefs. CRM has several projects ongoing to reduce this, he said.
Another major role of the office is to maintain the permitting process for new development within the CNMI, making sure that federal and local laws are complied with and that development complies with environmental standards.
Tilley said CRM issues about 250 permits each year.
He also disclosed that the CRM office plans to meet with the local Zoning Board to ensure that both agencies have regulations that are in agreement with environmental standards. He said the Zoning Board has ordinances in place that overlap CRM regulations on wetlands, shoreline setback, and coastal land use.
