ON Nov. 30, 2022, the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality-Division of Environmental Quality notified Saipan Industrial Inc. Co. 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 6, 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 10 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 at its office on Middle Road.
