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DEQ reminds public of land clearing permit
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Posted on Aug 27 2005
The public is being reminded to first secure a permit from the Division of Environmental Quality whenever they have plans to conduct land clearing work, even on private properties.
DEQ spokeswoman Reina Camacho said the environmental agency would like to reiterate to the public that under the CNMI Earthmoving and Erosion Control Regulation, no person shall commence or continue any earthmoving activity, including grading, filling or clearing of vegetation and other obstructions or an area of land, without a DEQ permit.
Camacho said earthmoving and erosion control application forms are available at the DEQ office located at the Gualo Rai Center along Chalan Pale Arnold. Interested parties and individuals may visit the office from 7:30am to 4:30pm only. Application forms are also available online and may be downloaded from the DEQ website www.deq.gov.mp/permits.
The applicants are required to submit designs, plans and calculations for erosion control measures that are certified by a CNMI Registered Professional Engineer, said Camacho. She said the completed application forms must come with clearance forms from Coastal Resources Management, Historic Preservation Office, and the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
Camacho said the earthmoving and erosion control permits are issued to prevent runoff and control nonpoint source pollution arising from human activities.
“Runoff could carry excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, into the groundwater supply and these excess nutrients have the potential to degrade water quality,” said Camacho.
The earthmoving and erosion control regulations are designed to protect marine and fresh water quality, thereby protecting public health as well.
For more information about earthmoving and erosion control, contact DEQ’s Romy Urbien at 664-8500.
