EPA Awards Commonwealth of North Mariana Islands $9 million

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Monday that the Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands (CNMI) will receive $9 million in funding for public heal and environmental projects, split between the Commonwealth Utilities Company (CUC) and the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ).

The CUC, which provides utilities services, will receive $6.7 million to improve water infrastructure. Amongst other benefits, this will provide residents with 24-hour service, better drinking water quality and water pollution prevention, especially against the effects of storms like Typhoon Soudelor.

The BECQ received $1.9 million in July and will receive a further $400,000. The funding will go toward inspections, contaminated site clean up, monitoring pesticide use, clean beach and safe drinking water programs, protecting the Commonwealth’s coral reefs and projects to clean up polluted streams.

“This much-needed funding will help the CNMI provide cleaner, safer drinking water, while protecting its coral reefs,” EPA Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest Jared Blumenfeld said. “We will continue to support CNMI’s efforts to ensure a better environment for the residents of CNMI.”