Interior Provides $2.3 Million to CNMI

WASHINGTON – Doug Domenech, U.S. Department of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs, this week announced $2,310,326 in fiscal year 2018 grant funding for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 

“Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and I are both pleased to support the people of the CNMI and Governor Ralph Torres on a wide variety of projects,” said Assistant Secretary Domenech.  “Funding provided by Congress continues to make a great impact in small and big ways in the U.S. territories, as is demonstrated by the variety of projects this year for the CNMI.”

Programs funded in the CNMI under the Technical Assistance Program for FY 2018 follow:

• $363,465 to Department of Public Works (DPW) for the Zero Waste Initiative: Island Composting Program. The first year of this program reduces the burden placed on the Marpi Landfill by diverting green waste, yard waste, and food scraps into organic matter that will eventually be decomposed, recycled and eventually used as a fertilizer and soil amendment, key ingredients for organic farming. 

• $357,966 to Department of Public Works funding for the first year of the CNMI Recycling Redemption Facility Revitalization Program. The facility will expand and streamline the current capabilities of the government-run recycling facility to include the redemption of aluminum cans and the recycling of rubber tires off-islands on all three populated islands of the Commonwealth: Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

• $79,921 to Department of Public Works to purchase an Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information System program software/hardware and training. The program will empower DPW in the area of planning, mitigation, flood zone determination/delineation and decision making in the event of disasters. 

• $297,077 to the Office on Substance Abuse and Drug Rehabilitation for a licensed and certified psychiatrist to assist with the organization and management of rehabilitation programs. Clients at the transitional housing or residential program will be able to receive adequate psychiatric services, sheltered counseling, and intervention treatment to reduce chemical dependency on drugs. 

• $250,000 to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation to upgrade CHC Electronic Health Record software that will allow for better patient care delivery via routine monitoring and reporting, as well as result in quick processing of claims for revenue and collection.  

• $210,000 to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation to replace and upgrade its maternal and fetal monitoring equipment in the Labor and Delivery Ward. These monitors are essential life-saving medical equipment for all babies born in the CNMI. 

• $172,949 to the Rota Mayor’s Office for the Aquaponics System Phase II to include the introduction of additional vegetable varieties and varying aquatic life and program amenities to enhance the program's sustainability.

• $77,685 to the CNMI Medical Referral Office for Acquisition of a Retrofitted Wheelchair Accessible Van for the transport of its transitional and long-term care CNMI patients receiving medical treatment and care on Guam. 

• $68,472 to the CNMI Medical Referral Office for Utilization Review Nurse Acquisition. This will allow for review of all patient records, treatments plans and relative costs for patient care prior to final processing for medical payments. The UR Nurse shall safeguard the CNMI from paying excessive charges for patient care services. 

• $60,365 to the Office of Public Auditor Continuing Professional Development Training for personnel, including the Audit section and the Investigation section

• $49,699 to the Office of Transit Authority Bus Route for Team Professional Development and training of transit operators and transportation information specialist

• $26,050 to the Office of Attorney General to develop its first Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines will set directives for judges, attorneys, and the public to ensure a fair and reasonable child support amount.

Programs funded in the CNMI under the Maintenance Assistance Program for FY 2018 follow:

• $213,232 to the Department of Public Works to acquire a Motor Grader for the Division of Roads and Grounds.

• $83,445 to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to acquire a new tractor for the Ma’afala Breadfruit program initiative.  The tractor will be used to prepare and maintain 40,000 square meters of farmland and over 1,000 breadfruit seedlings, an important food crop for the CNMI.

Funds are made available through the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.  Applications are submitted from October through May 1^st each year.  Funds are awarded once OIA receives appropriations from the U.S. Congress until they are exhausted.

The Assistant Secretary, Insular and International Affairs, and the Office of Insular Affairs carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees Federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA supports the Secretary's mission of Fulfilling Trust and Insular Responsibilities through balancing efforts and limited resources towards stronger economic and health capacities, and fiscal accountability in the U.S. insular areas.