Community Briefs

RENEW WELL OPERATION PERMITS BY AUG. 31

The Division of Environmental Quality would like to remind all Well Operators that applications for Well Operation Permit renewal is due on Aug. 31, 2005. Please refer to section 12.2(c) of the Well Drilling and Well Operators Regulations for clarification.

DEQ would also like to remind well operators to perform routine water quality analysis. Well permit numbers 0051-0100 are due by July; permit numbers 0101-0150 are due by August; and permit numbers 0151-0200 are due by September.

Routine analysis should also include the following parameters: Chloride, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Hardness, Nitrate, ph, and Total Coliform.

Contact Joe Kaipat, Safe Drinking Water program manager, at 664-8500 for questions or concerns.

3RD KANTAN ISLA SET TO TAKE OFF

The Chamorro/Carolinian Language Policy Commission said that the 3rd Annual Kantan Isla Concert would take place on the island of Rota from Sept. 30 to Oct 2, 2005.

“We would like to inform the local artist(s) that registration is now open and we are extending an invitation for your participation in this important event,” the commission said.

Deadline for submission is Aug. 30, 2005, no later than 4:30pm.

For more information, call 670-664-5321 on Saipan; 670-532-9350 for Balbina Taisacan on Rota; and 670-433-1603/1605 for Arsene Borja on Tinian.

NEW NUMBERS FOR CUC

The following are the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s new numbers for its payment branch/customer service center:

Dandan

Customer Service
664-6203
664-6204
664-6206
664-6207

Credit & Collection
664-6202
664-6205
664-6208

Treasure3/Cashiers
664-6200
664-6201

Fax
664-6220

La Fiesta Branch
664-6147

Fax
C/O 664-6169

TINIAN FERRY TIGHTENS SECURITY CHECKS

The operator of the Saipan-Tinian ferry will begin checking identification cards and all the luggage of its passengers, in compliance with federal security regulations.

Tinian Shipping and Transportation Inc. said in a statement that, as required by the Department of Homeland Security for Maritime Security—33 Code of Federal Regulations section 105.255 (e) (3), “we will be requesting a valid identification card with photo for verification prior to entering the facility at Saipan Terminal and Tinian Terminal.”

“Passengers, baggage, and carry on items are subject to screening and inspection in accordance with the most current MARSEC Directive,” it added.

Passengers are being asked to be at the dock an hour before the scheduled departure to avoid delays.

NMPASI PUBLIC HEARING ON SAIPAN

The Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc., or NMPASI, will be holding a public hearing on Aug. 5, 2005 at the NMPASI Conference Room on Saipan to inform the community of its 2006 Statements of Objectives and Priorities. The hearing will take place from 6pm to 8:30pm.