Previous Story
CUC stipulation timeframe pushed back
|
Posted on Jan 06 2009
The U.S. District Court for the NMI has granted an extension to the comment period regarding two stipulations between the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. and the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The extension of the comment period will mean the timeframe CUC must follow in the stipulations will also be pushed back.
The stipulations were filed along with a lawsuit against CUC, compelling it to adhere to federal regulations governing water, sewer, power and fuel.
The 30-day comment period was scheduled to end Jan. 2, but the District Court extended the period after a comment was left asking for an extension.
The DOJ, EPA and CUC signed the orders in July, but the DOJ did not file the orders and lawsuit until November. The initial comment period began Dec. 2.
Under the agreement, CUC must draft a master plan, obtain a contractor, and allow public comment on the plan.
Also, CUC must fill several positions as part of a wastewater management team.
CUC is required to turn in several plans to EPA on water sampling and monitoring.
“Within 90 days after the entry date, CUC shall develop and submit to EPA for approval a detailed plan, including a detailed schedule, to either install treatment at Tanapag Springs and Achugao Springs, or to disconnect those sources from the drinking water systems and provide an alternative supply of drinking water,” the agreement states.
CUC must also turn in a plan that will detail how it will perform samplings and where sampling will take place.
There have been problems with CUC conducting sampling tests in the past. According to their July 2008 report, CUC did not complete all tests for contaminants in 2007.
The agency failed to complete all monitoring or tests for cryptosporidium, synthetic organic chemicals, and volatile organic contaminants.
If certain stipulations are not met, CUC can be penalized up to $1,000 per day per violation for the first 30 days; $2,000 per day per violation following the 30 days; and $5,000 per day per violation for each day after.
