(BECQ-DEQ) — The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality’s Division of Environmental Quality the public that CNMI litter control and illegal dumping laws and regulations remain in full effect following the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
BECQ-DEQ understands that recovery efforts following the typhoon have created significant challenges for residents, businesses, and communities across the CNMI. As cleanup efforts continue, the agency recognizes that waste management and debris disposal may be a sensitive issue during this time. However, improper disposal of waste, debris, household trash, construction materials, and hazardous materials can create serious environmental, public health, and public safety concerns.
Pursuant to the Commonwealth Litter Control Act and applicable CNMI environmental regulations, littering and illegal dumping are prohibited on public and private lands and waters.
Under the CNMI Litter Control Act, “litter” includes garbage, trash, rubbish, refuse, paper containers, construction materials, bottles, cans, debris, organic waste, and other discarded materials that deface public places or infrastructure. “Littering” or “illegal dumping” is defined as throwing, dropping, placing, depositing, discarding, or otherwise disposing of waste on land or water outside of authorized disposal containers or permitted facilities.
To assist residents with ongoing cleanup and recovery efforts, the Department of Public Works (DPW) Transfer Station located in Lower Base remains open to the public, and all residential disposal fees have been waived until further notice. Residents are encouraged to utilize the transfer station to properly dispose household waste. Residents can also dispose of typhoon-related green waste, sheet metals, and electronic waste (e-waste), free of charge, at the temporary debris storage and reduction site in As Gonno.
DEQ also reminds the public that only typhoon-related debris is permitted to be staged along curbsides for collection as part of cleanup operations being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Acceptable debris includes vegetative or green waste, sheet metals, construction and demolition debris, household hazardous waste, appliances and white goods, and e-waste generated as a direct result of Super Typhoon Sinlaku. Household garbage, regular domestic waste, tires, and other non-typhoon-related materials should not be placed along roadways or curbsides for collection.
Violators of CNMI litter control and illegal dumping laws may be subject to citations, administrative orders, fines, and/or additional enforcement actions under applicable CNMI laws and regulations. Suspected illegal dumping or littering activities should be reported to the BECQ-DEQ office.
DEQ encourages residents to work together in maintaining a clean, safe, and healthy environment as the Commonwealth continues recovery efforts.
For additional information, contact DEQ’s Solid Waste Management Program at [email protected] or [email protected]/, or call (670) 664-8500/01.
