TITLE 10: LOCAL LAWS
DIVISION 3: THIRD SENATORIAL DISTRICT (SAIPAN, ETC.)
§ 3412. Purpose. The purpose of this local bill is to inform the public and visitors to the Third Senatorial District whether the waters at the public beaches are safe for recreational use. Source: Saipan LL 8-6, § 2. Commission Comment: According to Saipan LL 8-6; § 3: Section 3. Findings. Article I, section 9 of the Northern Marianas Constitution mandates that each person has the right to a clean and healthful public environment. The Third Senatorial District Delegation finds that this right can be better assured if DEQ is required to take water samples of the public beaches every 48 hours, and further post signs on such locations informing persons using these beaches whether the waters are safe for recreational use. Radio or TV announcements are not adequate. Posting of such signs will promote actions by those responsible for water quality. The hotels are the prime benefactors of the beaches. However, a manager at the Dai Ichi in an interview with Saipan Cable TV on November 11, 1992, said that she would not go into the same water that tourists staying at the Dai Ichi Hotel use every day. There is clearly a double standard that is in use here. Again the hotels are the primary beneficiary of tourist dollars. Therefore, it falls incumbent upon these hotels to join together with the responsible agency to insure compliance with the strict environmental standards.