Latest news with #CNMI
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Tests show 'forever chemicals' in CNMI, Guam
Photo: Supplied Tests on drinking water in Saipan, in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Guam have revealed high levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals'). The information, shared in a conference in Saipan, said that wells on the CNMI island are among the most contaminated in the US. Travis Spaeth, chief engineer and safe drinking water program manager at the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, said Saipan has four drinking water entry points ranked among the 15 most PFAS-contaminated systems in the entire United States. One well near the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, previously used for firefighting training, had concentrations exceeding more than 1,700 times above the new federal maximum contaminant level . The CNMI has its own maximum level - which is higher - but authorities are racing to comply with the stricter US standard, which requires full compliance by 2031. To meet that, the Commonwealth Utlities Corporation has installed granular activated carbon filters at multiple sites, bringing PFAS levels down to undetectable levels in some areas. However, Spaeth warned that maintaining the filters and managing the spent material off-island is expensive and logistically difficult. Spaeth said long-term options such as aquifer remediation, expanded rainwater catchment systems, and even energy-intensive desalination must be considered. The CNMI is also exploring partnerships with the US military and the Federal Aviation Administration - both historically linked to PFAS use - for support in cleanup funding and possible future blood testing for exposed residents and first responders. In Guam, PFAS hotspots include landfills, firefighting training sites, airport crash zones, and military bases. Two staff from Guam's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Sierra Armstrong-Bettis and Nicole Ha'ane Diras, also presented at the symposium. Using data from EPA region nine and Guam Waterworks Authority, their analysis found PFAS contamination across all parts of the island, with particularly high levels in Hagåtña, Sinajana, Agana Heights, and Mongmong-Toto-Maite. The Guam EPA team overlaid contaminant data with population risk factors such as daycare centres, schools, low-income housing, and clinics. They found the most at-risk groups often live in areas with limited access to alternative water sources like water refill stations. Granular activated carbon remains the main treatment tool in Guam, but like in Saipan, disposal and replacement of spent filters is a growing challenge. Diras and Armstrong-Bettis called for greater US government investment.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Saipan vessel intercepted in Guam carrying undeclared fireworks
Photo: AFP / NurPhoto A vessel towing cargo from Saipan was intercepted by Guam Customs officers after an inspection uncovered undeclared fireworks. According to the Guam Customs and Quarantine Agency, officers discovered 89 boxes of assorted fireworks concealed inside cargo labeled as "paper towels". The contraband was hidden in a forward compartment of the vessel. The vessel's master told officers he was unaware of the contents and was unable to provide the required license for the possession and transport of fireworks. Authorities noted this was the second time the same vessel had been involved in the illegal importation of fireworks from the CNMI. "This seizure is a reminder that it's not just drugs and people being smuggled between the CNMI and Guam," a law enforcement source said. "We're seeing an uptick in other forms of undeclared or illegal cargo-from fireworks to counterfeit goods." Guam law requires that any individual or business importing, distributing, or storing consumer fireworks obtain a license from the Guam Fire Department. The US Coast Guard, which responded to the scene, confirmed the boat is registered as a recreational vessel and is not legally authorized to tow cargo. The Coast Guard is now conducting its own investigation into possible safety and regulatory violations. The intercepted fireworks were seized for safekeeping and will be referred to the Guam Fire Department for further action.
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Oil spill cleanup in Tinian Harbor completed
Cleanup efforts following a waste oil spill in Tinian Harbor concluded on June 8. Photo: Supplied/US Coast Guard Cleanup efforts following a waste oil spill in Tinian Harbor concluded last weekend (8 June) with no significant impacts to wildlife or the shoreline, according to the US Coast Guard and local environmental authorities. The spill, estimated at 113.5 litres of waste oil , came from the Mariana , a 145-foot US-flagged freight vessel, and was reported on 6 June. Responders - including crew members from the Mariana and support vessel Galide - deployed containment and sorbent booms to trap the spill. The wind aided in concentrating the remaining oil in the harbor's corner, where it either evaporated or was removed by the cleanup crew. Cabras Marine Corporation later resupplied response equipment on Tinian, and the Mariana continued on to Guam with the collected waste. The US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Saipan oversaw the operation. Coast Guard officials confirmed that no recoverable product remained and that the response was completed ahead of schedule. "This is exactly the kind of swift, responsible action we expect from vessel operators," said Petty Officer 1st Class Jon Kramer of MSU Saipan. "Our mission is to safeguard public trust and Tinian's marine ecosystems." The CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality and the Division of Fish and Wildlife also confirmed that no shoreline or wildlife impacts were detected. Though an investigation into the cause of the spill was conducted due to the vessel's commercial status, the incident did not meet the threshold for classification as a serious marine incident warranting further federal inquiry.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Investigation under way after Marianas waste oil spill
The US Coast Guard and local environmental officials have launched a coordinated response to a reported waste oil spill at Tinian Harbour. Photo: Supplied The US Coast Guard and local environmental officials have launched a coordinated response to a reported waste oil spill from the US-flagged freight vessel Mariana at Tinian Harbor last week. The Coast Guard said approximately 113.5 litres of waste oil was released into the harbor on 6 June. As of Saturday morning, 7 June, the US Coast Guard reported no visible impact to shoreline areas or local wildlife. The spill was immediately reported by the vessel's crew, who also secured the source to prevent further discharge. The spill was contained within a set of booms and being pushed to the corner of the harbor pier by prevailing winds. Clean-up crews deployed containment and sorbent booms in line with the Mariana's vessel response plan, and additional materials were shipped from Saipan to bolster protection efforts for Tinian's marine environment. A marine science technician from Marine Safety Unit Saipan was on site, supervising operations to ensure compliance and environmental safety. The US Coast Guard has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the spill and is working closely with the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality to monitor any ongoing effects.
RNZ News
09-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
CNMI Senate president proposes amendment to allow cash dividends for indigenous voters
Saipan in the Northern Marianas. Photo: Supplied Senate president Dennis James Mendiola has introduced a legislative initiative that could result in direct cash payouts to registered voters of Northern Marianas descent. He proposes what he described as a long-overdue return on investment from public land revenues. Senate Legislative Initiative No. 24-01 seeks to amend the CNMI Constitution to authorize the distribution of monetary dividends to registered Northern Marianas descent (NMD) voters, from earnings generated by the Marianas Public Land Trust (MLPT), which manages funds derived from the lease of public lands. "This is just the start of the conversation," Mendiola said in an interview. "For years, we've said public lands belong to NMDs. But outside of constitutional protections, there's been no direct economic return. This initiative changes that." To be eligible, recipients must be both of Northern Marianas descent and registered voters - a dual requirement Mendiola said was intentional to encourage civic participation and ensure a fair and transparent process. "We want the beneficiaries themselves to vote on it," he said. The initiative proposes the creation of a Northern Marianas descent dividend program, beginning with a one-time distribution of US$30 million to $50 million from the land trust's investment corpus. Future distributions would occur every ten years and be subject to legislative appropriation, in coordination with the land trust and the Commonwealth Election Commission. Mendiola emphasized that the payout mechanism is designed to be sustainable. MPLT currently generates roughly US$3 million to $3.5 million annually in investment income, and the proposed 10-year cycle would allow time to replenish the fund before the next disbursement. "This is not a one-and-done deal," he said. "We've built in the timeline so the trust remains solvent and continues to grow." Because the proposal seeks to amend the CNMI Constitution, the measure must go through a multi-step process. First, it will be referred to the appropriate Senate committee, which will schedule public hearings on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. If cleared by the committee, it returns to the Senate floor for a vote. To move forward, the initiative must be approved by three-fourths of the members in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Commonwealth Election Commission. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Mark Rabago If it garners that level of legislative support, the proposed amendment is then forwarded to the Commonwealth Election Commission, which will place it on the ballot for a public vote during the next general election or a special election. Only if a majority of voters approve the measure will it become part of the CNMI Constitution and carry the force of law. While many residents welcomed the news on social media, some expressed skepticism. Critics questioned the long-term sustainability of the plan and raised concerns that the initiative may draw legal challenges over discrimination. "I refuse to sit back and keep worrying about theoretical lawsuits," Mendiola responded. "The Constitution is clear - MPLT funds exist for NMDs. If challenged, maybe this will finally bring clarity on the scope of protections under our covenant." He added that estimates of how much an individual could receive under the proposal vary depending on the final list of eligible recipients. Preliminary figures suggest dividends could range from $1,000 to $2,000 per person in the first round. "This isn't about politics - it's about economic justice," Mendiola said. "Our people are struggling. This puts money back into homes and boosts the local economy." The Senate President urged the NMD community to take part in the public input process as the proposal moves through the legislative pipeline. "Whether you support it or not, I encourage everyone to come out, ask questions, and help shape what could be a historic shift in how we recognize and reward our indigenous landowners," he said.
