SAIPAN — The CNMI Department of Public Works has completed 96 of 166 special debris removal requests from Saipan households through the Saipan-Wide Environmental Enhancement Program as of Wednesday, May 27, the department said.
The program, known as SWEEP, is a partnership between DPW, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation. It provides debris removal assistance to residents who need special support following Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
DPW emphasized that the USACE operation remains the main Sinlaku debris cleanup effort across Saipan, and most residents should continue placing approved typhoon debris at the curb for USACE pickup. SWEEP is reserved for residents who cannot safely move debris from their property to the curbside.
Residents may qualify for SWEEP assistance if they are elderly, sick or medically vulnerable, or otherwise unable to safely move debris to the curb.
The program accepts the same debris categories that USACE picks up: vegetative or green waste, sheet metal, construction and demolition debris, household hazardous waste, appliances and white goods, and electronics.
To request SWEEP assistance, residents may call the DPW Solid Waste Office at (670) 235-9570. Callers will need to provide their full name, contact number, location, and a description of the debris. Residents will then need to allow DPW staff onto their private property and guide staff to the debris if needed.
For safety, DPW staff will not climb buildings or trees to retrieve debris, enter buildings to retrieve debris, or access areas behind buildings to retrieve debris. Each situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
