COMMUNITY volunteer Max Aguon found containers of used motor oil and oil filter dumped near the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument in Garapan Thursday morning.
“Someone must have changed the oil of their vehicle and decided to dispose [of] their used oil here,” he said.
In the CNMI used oil disposal is federally regulated and its disposal at the municipal landfill is banned.
According to the Division of Environmental Quality regulations, a person commits a violation if he or she “discharges used oil into a sewer, drainage system, septic tank, surface water or ground water, watercourse, or marine water; puts used oil in waste that is to be disposed of at any sanitary landfill or directly disposes of used oil on land.”
A person may be subject to criminal penalties if caught disposing of used motor oil illegally.
Under the regulations, when storing used oil, the containers and tanks must be in good condition and must show no signs of severe rusting, apparent structural defects, deterioration or visible leaks.
Despite instances of illegal dumping in certain areas, Aguon said many residents are disposing of their trash the right way.
He expressed his appreciation to the community members who help maintain the island’s cleanliness, and is hoping that the public will comply with the anti-littering law and report those who violate it.
Community volunteer Max Aguon points at the containers of used engine oil and oil filter dumped near the 13 Fishermen Memorial Monument in Garapan on Thursday.
Contributed photo
