Did You Know?
The Site Assessment and Remediation Branch recently conducted a Brownfields Site Survey and Inventory for the islands of Tinian and Rota during the week of September 24-27, 2007. The purpose of the Site Survey and Inventory was to identify and list any potential Brownfields sites for Tinian and Rota. The SAR Branch interviewed DPL employees and residents of each respective island to inquire about any knowledge about site history and any potential contamination that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. The SAR branch also took GPS coordinates and photographs of the potential Brownfields sites, similar to the Brownfields Site Survey and Inventory conducted on Saipan. The SAR branch will now work on compiling information gathered from the project and enter them into the Brownfields Database. For questions or comments, please feel free to contact our Main Office at (670)664-8500, or email us through our DEQ website at www.deq.gov.mp.
***WEBSITE LAST UPDATED ON Dec.14, 2007***
Welcome to the New Site Assessment and Remediation Program Website
The Site Assessment and Remediation Branch or "SAR" is responsible for all environmental issues relating to the assessments and cleanups of site contamination in the CNMI as a result of the release of hazardous substances. SAR implements programs and enforces regulations which aims to ensure that contaminated sites are cleaned up to standards protective to human health and the environment. Overall, the SAR branch mission is to strengthen the DEQ's mandated responsibility to protect the public health and the environment in the CNMI from the threats posed by sites contaminated with hazardous substances.
The DEQ Brownfields Program
Under the Brownfields Program, DEQ has set up several projects which are intended to meet the program's requirements to establish and/or enhance DEQ's Response Program for contaminated sites in the CNMI.
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The DEQ Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection Program
The DEQ Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection program consists of the first two steps of the Superfund Process, which are federally funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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For more information visit www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/siteinfo.htm
The Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) Program
The Formerly Used Defense Sites Program is focused on the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites caused by former U.S. military activity after WWII. The investigation and cleanup of FUDS is the responsibility of the Army Corps of Engineers. DEQ will be responsible to conduct oversight during all remedial actions.
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Saipan, CNMI DEQ Environmental Screening Levels
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Division of Environmental Quality prepared a Evironmental Screening Levels (ESLs) document in 2005 (Saipan, sponsored by a grant to CNMI from the US Environmental Protection Agency Region 9). An ESL Surfer is included.
The CNMI DEQ ESLs is modeled after the Hawai'i Department of Health EALs and the California Environmental Protection Agency ESLs.
The CNMI DEQ ESLs are based on entirely on USEPA toxicity factors and surface water standards. The ESLs also include summary screening levels specifically for commercial/industrial areas and for "deep" (>1 to 3m) soils. The ESLs are a handy tool to informally screen sites outside of the USA as well as areas in the US mainland where comprehensive, local guidance is not available.
Screening levels for acute toxicity concerns will be added to the CNMI DEQ ESLs in the near future. These should help indentify and prioritize heavily contaminated sites that may pose very near-term risks to human health and the environment.
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DEQ Highlight: Tanapag Fuel Farm Project
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ), with cooperation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will remove some of the old military above-ground oil storage tanks and associated contamination from Tanapag Village. This joint effort will not only rid the Tanapag community of these potential health hazards, but will also train DEQ staff in the areas of planning, assessment, sampling, health and safety monitoring, cleanup and project management. This action is being funded by EPA.
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Harmful Substance Clean Up Regulations
The Harmful Substance Clean Up Regulations were adopted under the authority of the CNMI Environmental Protection Act, P.L. 3-23, 2 CMC §§ 3101 et seq. (as amended by P.L. 11-103), 1 CMC §§ 2646 to 2649, and P.L. 11-108. It establishes administrative processes and standards to identify, investigate, and clean up facilities where harmful substances have come to be located. It defines the role of the division and encourages public involvement in decision making at these facilities.
For more information visit deq.gov.mp/artdoc/Sec8art80ID184.pdf