DEQ Monthly Cleanup Brigade - Makaka Beach this Saturday, October 5, 2013

(DEQ) - The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Cleanup Brigade will be at it again picking up trash at Makaka Beach this Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 8 am.

If you would like to volunteer your time to clean and beautify our island, please meet the DEQ representatives on Saturday at the Makaka Beach area/parking lot at 8 am. Volunteers will split into groups and clean until 10:00 am and break for drinks and then continue, if needed.

This month, outstanding brigade volunteers who participated in at least ten (10) monthly cleanups will receive a brigade cap and those who participated in at least three (3) cleanups will receive a brigade t-shirt.

Last month’s International Coastal Cleanup led by the Coastal Resource Management office was quite a success. Thanks to all the volunteers who participated, about 5,660 pounds of trash was removed and properly disposed of.

DEQ is looking forward to a repeat success this Saturday, so join DEQ’s monthly cleanup brigade and “Pick It Up!” Let us work together for the health of our coral reefs and cleanliness of our beaches for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about volunteering, please contact the DEQ office at 664-8500/1.

DEQ Monthly Cleanup Brigade - International Coastal Cleanup

The Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Cleanup Brigade will deviate from its regular first Saturday of the monthly beach cleanup brigade in order to join the Coastal Resource Management’s (CRM) celebration of the 28th Annual International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) which is scheduled for Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st on Saipan. Rota will be participating on September 20th and Tinian will be hosting theirs on September 18th.

DEQ encourages all regular volunteer individuals or groups to sign up and take part in this very good deed. If you would like to volunteer your time to clean and beautify our island by participating in the ICC, please contact a CRM ICC coordinator to sign up.

Saipan Coordinator: Nicole Schafer, 664-8312
Rota Coordinator: Bill Pendergrass, 532-0466
Tinian Coordinator: Edwin Hofschneider, 433-0494

Last month’s Aquarius Beach Cleanup was successful with 27 volunteers participating. Thanks to, NMC, WSR, KHS, HJHS, SSHS, Zoning, KKMP, and other volunteers about 300 pounds of trash was removed from the beach and properly disposed of.

The DEQ is looking forward to a repeat success, so join DEQ’s monthly cleanup brigade and “Pick It Up!” Let us work together for the health of our coral reefs and cleanliness of our beaches for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about volunteering, please contact the DEQ office at 664-8500/1.

International Coastal Cleanup 9/20 and 9/21

It is time for us to once again join the global community and raise awareness about our coastlines through the International Coastal Cleanup. Last year the CNMI had 2,035 participants pick up 10,915 pounds of trash at the International Coastal Cleanup event. This year we are aiming to increase the number of participants and hopefully decrease the amount of trash. Cleanups raise awareness and knowledge about the issues that face not only our oceans, but also our land. Trash endangers the health of humans, wildlife, and coastal economies. Now is the time to come together and work with the community to preserve and protect the land and the sea, even if it is only for one day. We would love to have you join the ICC team.

Saipan ICC will take place Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21. If you are interested in joining this event please find attached the sign up sheet and if you require further information contact Saipan Coordinator: Nicole Schafer, 664-8312.

Kind Regards,

Nicole Schafer

ICC Saipan Coordinator

Coastal Resources Management

2011 Internatio​nal Coastal Cleanup

Hello Everyone,

On behalf of Coastal Resources Management Office, I would like to personally thank you all group coordinators for organizing a group of volunteer to make 2011 International Coastal Cleanup a success. This event could not have been a success without the help of you and the many other volunteers who donated their time in making Saipan's beaches clean. 

We are happy to share the result with you, the total weigh in of trash collected in our cleanup is 5,120 lbs. at about several hundred pounds less than last year.  Even though it rain on us we still manage to cover most of our beaches.

A lot of your data card have been turn in and received and have totaled each individual trash collected on the list.  On top of our list is cigarettes filters with 2,349 pieces, second we have caps and lids at 1,198 pieces and on third of our list is plastic forks, knives and spoon and Styrofoam cups and plates at  825 pieces.  I am still collecting data cards, please do send me through e-mail or stop by CRMO to drop off.

I also like to thank Beautify CNMI!, DEQ, DPW, and MINA in providing helping hands and supplies for this year's International Coastal Cleanup. Summary of data card and photos will be attach.  

Olomwaay,
Guy Macaranas
Saipan Coastal Coordinator

ICC: Saipan Grand Hotel

Saturday, September 17, 2011 8:30am
Saipan Grand Hotel to Sugar Dock (roadside)
Sugar Dock to Saipan Grand Hotel (beachside)
Coordinated by: Joe Ada

On September 17, 2011, the staff and management of Saipan Grand Hotel participated in the early morning hours at around 8:30 am by commencing with the clean up from Saipan Grand Hotel towards the traffic light by cleaning on both side of the main highway with a total of 22 participants with additional 5 kids. Once at the traffic section, the cleaning proceeded towards the Sugar Dock and then headed North on the shoreline towards Saipan Grand Hotel.

The clean up took about one hour and 30 minutes with a total of approximately between 150 to 200 lbs of trashes collected. The trashes were piled at the South side of the hotel and CRM staff failed to pick up the trashes after they were informed through the application form. Pictures of the trashes were provided to CRM for their reference and also they were informed that they failed to pick up the trashes. After a week, our Engineering disposed the trashes.

Almost 5K lbs of trash collected

2011 INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP
Almost 5K lbs of trash collected

By Clarissa David
Reporter

A total of 4,940 lbs of trash were collected during this year's International Coastal Cleanup held Friday and Saturday throughout several beaches and coastal locations on island.

Guy Macaranas, Coastal Resources Management's 2011 Coastal Cleanup coordinator, said the trash collection for this year's cleanup is lower compared to last year's, which totaled over 6,000 lbs.

“This is good because it means that more and more people are picking up after themselves when they go to the beach and hold parties,” Macaranas told Saipan Tribune.

Macaranas disclosed that based on the data sheets they collected from the volunteers who participated in the cleanup, cigarette butts comprised the biggest number of trash at 1,601 pieces. Other items collected include plastic and glass bottles, beverage cans, plastic spoons and forks, and Styrofoam plates.

This year's cleanup had 29 volunteer groups: the Saipan Rotary Club, McDonald's, Tan Holdings, CTSI Logistics, Fiesta Resort, Hyatt, Saipan Grand, PDM Promoters, Winzler & Kelly, Lions Club, Pacific Islands Club, Northern Marianas College, Phi Theta Kappa, NMC Upward Bound Program, U.S. Coast Guard, Saipan Mayor's Office, Saipan International School, Marianas Visitors Authority with the NMI Diving Operators Association, Marianas Waterworks Corp., Hard Rock Café, Mt. Carmel High School Red Cross Honor Society Club, Marianas Baptist Academy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist, Team Yalaka, POI Aviation, Department of Public Lands, Division of Environmental Quality, and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

Macaranas noted that fewer government agencies took part this year. “I believe this is due to austerity Fridays.”

While there are fewer volunteers this year, Macaranas said the event was still a success. “I was happy about the event. It's very successful because people still came out in spite of the rain.”

Macaranas noted that the islands of Tinian and Rota had their own coastal cleanups, in coordination with the CRM's field offices and mayor's offices.

Rota's cleanup was held Monday while Tinian will hold it on Thursday.

According to Macaranas, the annual cleanup, held simultaneously in different coastlines around the globe, also forms part of CRM's ongoing Clean Beaches Campaign, which aims to encourage and educate the community about caring for the islands' beaches and marine resources.

The campaign's slogan is “Love your beaches, keep them clean.”

Macaranas emphasized that more work needs to be done to educate the community and remind them that “they know better” in terms of caring for the environment.

“If we keep doing these cleanups and educational campaigns, we would have a better tomorrow,” he added.

ICC: Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan

Saturday, September 17, 2011 7am

Makaka Beach Garapan, Saipan CNMI
Coordinated by: Elaina Soll

Joining in International Coastal Clean Up Day, 35 volunteers cleaned Makaka beach and a part of Beach Road and collected 35 bags of trash weighing approximately 175 lbs. We also did our usual calisthenics and enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast courtesy of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.
 

ICC: Tan Holdings Adopt-A-Pavillion

Saturday, September 17, 2011 7am
13 Fishermen to Garapan Fishing Basin, Saipan CNMI
Coordinated by: Cecil Ramores

The Adopt-A-Pavilion team of 26 covered the coastal/shorelines of 13 Fishermen to Garapan Fishing base and were able to gather a total of 20 bags or approximately 100 lbs of trash. A September birthday bash followed after the clean-up!

ICC: Rotary Club of Saipan

Saturday, September 17, 2011 8am-9:30am
Garapan Fishing Basin, Saipan CNMI
Coordinated by: Laurie Peterka

Thank you to everyone who showed up to help with the International Coastal Clean Up at the Garapan Fishing Basin on Saturday! It was a really great turn out --- kudos to you all!!! The ocean thanks you and the planet thanks you for taking the time to pick up trash and for helping to set an example for others in our community. For those who were unable to join us, we missed you and hope to see you next time...

Our total group (after stragglers arrived) was about 25 people, including staff from McDonalds. We started a little after 8am and stopped around 9:30am due to the major downpour of rain. Afterwards, we gathered in the tented area and counted our collections for reporting to the CRM and Ocean Conservancy.

All in all, we collected approximately 40 bags of trash, which consisted mostly of bits of plastic bags and wrappers, cans, bottles, caps, cigarette butts, batteries, diapers and carry away food service items (cups, forks, spoons, etc).

Additionally, we discussed making a request once again to move the Rotary recycling bin back to its original location under the big pine tree nearest the road going in and out of the area for higher visibility and, hopefully, more usage.

2011 International Coastal

Join the entire Commonwealth for the 2011 International Coastal
Cleanup

Together, we can start a sea of change.

Hafa Adai Friends and Colleagues,

We are all connected to the ocean. And we're all responsible for the trash we leave behind, whether we mean to or not. Please join us, and the global movement that is giving back to the ocean, by spending just one day cleaning up trash from our world's waterways and ocean. It's one of the easiest things we can do to help protect the ocean.

We invite you to join us on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17 - from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the 2011 International Coastal Cleanup.

To sign-up for the event, kindly complete the attached sign-up sheet and fax it to Guy Macaranas, Coastal Resources Management, at 664-8315. For more information, call 664-8305 or email guy.macaranas@crm.gov.mp

CRM along with DEQ will retrieve and properly dispose of the trash and recycling collected from the cleanup on Saipan. We will coordinate with your organization/group to determine a pick up point.

Thank you for your kind consideration of this important CNMI-wide event.

Regards,
Rita C. Chong-Dela Cruz
Administrator

From Blogger Pictures

CONGRATS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

Hafa Adai everyone,

First, I want to thank you all for participating in the 2010 International Coastal Cleanup. By volunteering in huge numbers (1,089 people!), you have shown CRM, DEQ and the entire nation that we are serious about combating marine debris and keeping our environment clean and healthy for the next generation.

We received 27 data sheets back, and were blown away by all your hard work to collect information regarding marine debris in Saipan. Data here only reports about 1/2 of the trash that was cleaned up by all your groups (27/53 volunteer groups), so the entire Cleanup had an even larger impact than is shown. This is huge!! Here are totals on a few types of trash that were collected:

493 Paper Bags
1,323 Plastic Bags (do we need to think about following American Samoa's lead and banning plastic bags?!)
1,316 Plastic Bottles (these can be recycled!)
661 Glass Bottles (these can be recycled!)
1,826 Aluminum Cans (these can be recycled!)
239 Clothing, Shoes
1,136 Cups, Plates, Forks, Knives, Spoons
1,390 Food Wrappers/Styrofoam Containers
147 6-Pack Holders (these are NOTORIOUS for trapping and killing wildlife)
730 Straws/Stirrers
16 Fishing Nets (how many of these are floating in CNMI waters, still catching fish?)
4,562 Cigarettes
177 Batteries (batteries leach toxic chemicals directly into the sea)
133 Diapers (marine debris is not only an environmental concern...this is a human health concern!)

Total weight of the trash (for all 53 groups) was 6,280 pounds. In four hours, we kept more than 3 tons of garbage from entering the Pacific Ocean. We removed toxic waste from the shoreline, carried dangerous debris from our beaches, and properly disposed of hundreds of items that could entangle and threaten marine wildlife! For more information on trash removed, please see the attached PDF files. If you have questions, concerns or comments regarding the Cleanup and/or the marine debris issue in Saipan, please do not hesitate to contact me (rachel.zuercher@crm.gov.mp or phone: 664-8316.

Again,thank you all so much. We couldn't do it without you.

Coastal Cleanup Planning Team

/s/Rachel Zuercher
CNMI Coastal Resources Management Office
PO Box 10001, PMB 59
Saipan, MP 96950
Phone: (670) 664-8305
Fax: (670) 664-8315

**************
A million thanks, indeed, to all you wonderful Beautify CNMI! volunteers who helped make this a greatly successful event!

Cinta M. Kaipat
Volunteer PR Coordinator
Beautify CNMI!

ICC: SHIRLEY'S

SHIRLEY'S STAFF AND FAMILIES CLEAN SUGAR DOCK
Thanks and please keep up the great job!

ICC: Rotary Club of Saipan

Participating in the annual International Coastal Clean Up event organized by CRM and NOAA-Marine Debris Program, the Rotary Club of Saipan gathered Saturday 09/25/2010 from 8am-11am to pick up trash at the Garapan Fishing Base area. Twenty (20) volunteers collected about 500 lbs of trash while several other Rotarians were involved in clean ups at other sites. Most of the collections at Fishing Base consisted of plastic bottles, cans, food wrappers and cigarette butts. The most unique item found was a popcorn machine.