BECQ-CRM PUBLIC NOTICE 04.06.23

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality
Arnold I. Palacios
Governor
David M. Apatang Lt.
Governor

P.O. Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950-1304
DEQ Tel.: (670) 664-8500/01; Fax: (670) 664-8540
DCRM Tel.: (670) 664-8300; Fax: (670) 664-8315
www.becq.gov.mp

Eli D. Cabrera
Administrator
Zabrina S. Cruz
Director, DEQ

PUBLIC NOTICE
APRIL 06, 2023

NOTICE OF PROPOSED CONSENT DECREE FOR
SAIPAN INDUSTRIAL INC. CO. FACILITY
AREA OF CONCERN: MASON PLACE, AS LITO, SAIPAN
On November 30, 2022, the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) Division of
Environmental Quality (DEQ) notified Saipan Industrial Inc. Co. (“Saipan Industrial”) to begin
negotiations for a consent decree for the cleanup of calcium carbide released into an unlined berm,
approximately 20’x7’ with an estimated depth of 6’-8’, located at Saipan Industrial’s industrial gas
manufacturing facility at Mason Place, As Lito, Saipan.
NATURE OF RELEASE, SUSPECTED HARMFUL SUBSTANCES, AND POTENTIAL RISKS TO
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT: The unlined berm at the site is filled with calcium carbide waste, found
by DEQ to be characteristically hazardous due to its pH level. As a result of the release, land areas and
drainages below the Site are reasonably expected to be affected by the contamination. The proposed
consent decree will require Saipan Industrial to complete removal and remediation work specified in the
draft consent decree’s Scope of Work, including but not limited to performance of a risk assessment to
identify the nature and extent of the contamination; removal of all by-product material consistent with a
removal plan; soil and groundwater sampling consistent with a sampling and analysis plan; testing of
excavated materials to determine whether they are hazardous or non-hazardous for disposal purposes;
and assessment of whether additional removal work or remediation is necessary.
Written comments can be submitted by mail to DEQ, P.O. Box 501304, Saipan MP 96950; sent by fax to
664-8540; or emailed to josh.santos@becq.gov.mp. Comments must be received by DEQ no later than
May 05, 2023. All comments received by DEQ will be included as part of the permit application record
and will be considered in any decisions concerning the proposed activity. In addition, if ten or more
persons request a public meeting on the subject of this public notice, DEQ may hold a public meeting to
receive comments. Interested persons may obtain further information by scheduling an appointment with
DEQ, Chalan Pale Arnold – Middle Road.
________________________________
ELI D. CABRERA, ADMINISTRATOR

BUREAU OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND COASTAL QUALITY

___________________________
ZABRINA S. CRUZ, DIRECTOR

DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY