You may be spared the inconvenience of a long drive and hauling your garbage away, but the damage you will cause to the environment is lasting.
Nonpoint source pollution is caused by different factors and come from different places. It is usually caused by rainfall moving over and through the ground, carrying both natural and human pollutants to the lakes and rivers, and in the case of the CNMI — to the coastal waters.
Nonpoint source pollution can cause harmful effects on the water quality, recreation, fisheries, and wildlife.
Checklist
Pollution starts and ends with you. Check this list to see how much you are contributing to the generation of nonpoint source pollution in the island:
1. Do you improperly dispose of oil and other hazardous and toxic waste?
2. Do you clear land without using proper measures for erosion control?
3. Do you throw garbage in unpermitted dumps?
4. Do you have install septic tanks in unsuitable soil types?
5. Do you apply excessive pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides?
6. Do you exercise poor management practices in agricultural lands?
7. Do you improperly control animal wastes?
If you answer YES to any of the questions, check your lifestyle and do some changes because you may be destroying the very place you live.
Tips
The CNMI Division of Environmental Quality shares the following tips to help control nonpoint source pollution:
• Do not dump household chemicals, used oil, batteries, anti freeze and other toxic and hazardous materials on the ground or septic tanks.
• Dump your garbage to the landfill or transfer station.
• Use good land management practices to control erosion in your property.
• Use pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides sparingly. Do not use more than you have to.
• Prevent grass land fires. Grass fires can destroy vegetation and cause erosion.
• Repair faulty septic tanks.
• Get proper permits before you clear land or start any construction.
• Help the local and federal agencies that work to control nonpoint source pollution in the island.
DEQ is stepping up its campaign to spread awareness to the residents and educating the people on the dangers and effects of nonpoint source pollutant, including installing a booth during the recent 2010 Environmental Expo at American Memorial Park which was attended by over a thousand elementary and high school students.
For more information on nonpoint source pollution, contact DEQ at 664-8500.
