ENVIRONMENTAL experts have assured that no endangered species such as the green sea and hawksbill turtles will be affected in the proposed Agingan wastewater ocean outfall project.
Although there have been sightings of these turtles, they are not actually concentrated in the area where the construction is being proposed, according to Ramon S. Oberiano, the chief of environmental services of Duenas & Associates, which is the firm commissioned by the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to do the environmental impact study for the project.
Oberiano said the discharge of wastewater into the coastal waters of Saipan does not appear to be a direct threat to the sea turtles.
These were the findings of a team of biologists from the University of Guam’s Marine Lab which conducted marine surveys in Agingan from Aug. 8 to 11, 2001.
Paul Henson, field supervisor of the ecological services of the United States Fish and Wildlife Services, said they had reviewed their data and files and found that no species mentioned in the Endangered Species Act of 1973 exist on the terrestrial portion of the proposed site.
“If the project is confined to the proposed project’s terrestrial footprint, the Service believes that no endangered or threatened species will likely be impacted by the proposed project,” Henson told Duenas & Associates.
However, Henson said that if there are any changes at all in the original plan of the project, his office should be immediately notified so it can make the necessary recommendations.
The Agingan Point wastewater project would cost $5.6 million. The job entails replacing the existing intertidal outfall serving villages near the area such as San Antonio and Koblerville.
A 1,100-ft. long, 24-inch outer diameter high density polyethelene pipeline will be constructed to discharge secondary treated wastewater.
