Puerto Rico Dumpsite
The Puerto Rico Dump Site has been the municipal solid waste dumping ground for Saipan. The dump posed both environmental and public health threats via the discharge and leaching into the nearby lagoon, periodic open fires, and debris flying into the marine water. The dump was officially closed on February 2003. The CNMI Department of Public Works applied and received a Brownfields Targeted Assessment grant (2003-2004) to look into the feasibility of converting the property into a community park. The Brownfields grant was used for a Beneficial Reuse Report, which was completed in 2004. DPW is currently awaiting proposal from contractors for the final closure of the dump. This project will be funded using 702 CIP funds.
The Puerto Rico dump was originally a dock facility used by the U.S. military during World War II. As early as 1945, the military began dumping scrap metal into an unlined back water area. From 1953, the area was used as a municipal waste disposal site. Waste consisting of household and commercial refuse, construction debris, and garment factory waste was deposited in the dump.
In 1994, EPA issued an administrative order citing the CNMI government for discharging pollutants into the “waters of the United States.”
Due to lack of progress in resolving the issue, the CNMI government was fined $125,000 in Aug. 1997.
In 2001, the administration of then-Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio issued a request for proposals for the complete regulatory closure of Puerto Rico dump, “in conjunction with the construction of the Marpi Solid Waste facility and Lower Base transfer station.”
In 2003, the Marpi landfill opened and the Puerto Rico dump officially closed.
In 2005, EPA issued an administrative order, giving consent to proceed with the park project. Black Construction Corp. began construction in July of 2015. (Marianas Variety)
In 2015, the conversion of the former dump into a public park began. The development of the park was funded by the Department of Interior-Office of Insular Areas (DOI-OIA), costing about $29 million dollars. The site is about 19.5 acres and about 80 feet high. Through the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and the contractors, and the engineering team, led to the successful development and completion of the park in 22 months. The project was completed in March 2017, and has been unveiled as the Gov. Eloy S. Inos Peace Park.
Category: Brownfields; 702 CIP Funding (Department of Interior-Office of Insular Affairs)
Coordinates:
Island: Saipan
Village: Puerto Rico
Response Status: Targeted Brownfields Assessment-Brownfields Beneficial Reuse Report completed in 2004; Design Plan funded by 702 CIP Funding, Waiting for Proposal from Contractors for Final Dump Closure. DOI Funded Park closure and conversion 2015-2017.
Land Use Restrictions: Undetermined
Institution Control: Undetermined
Responsible Party: CNMI Department of Public Works
Enforcement Authority: Division of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Project Lead: CNMI Department of Public Works
Property Status: Public Land
Coordinates:
Island: Saipan
Village: Puerto Rico
Response Status: Targeted Brownfields Assessment-Brownfields Beneficial Reuse Report completed in 2004; Design Plan funded by 702 CIP Funding, Waiting for Proposal from Contractors for Final Dump Closure. DOI Funded Park closure and conversion 2015-2017.
Land Use Restrictions: Undetermined
Institution Control: Undetermined
Responsible Party: CNMI Department of Public Works
Enforcement Authority: Division of Environmental Quality; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Project Lead: CNMI Department of Public Works
Property Status: Public Land