SAIPAN – The CNMI Department of Public Works has launched the Saipan-Wide Environmental Enhancement Program to help residents who cannot safely move storm debris from their property to the curb, the department announced.
The program, known as SWEEP, is open to residents who are elderly, sick or medically vulnerable, or otherwise unable to safely move debris to the curbside. DPW is running SWEEP in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing debris removal operations, with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
Qualifying residents can request assistance by calling the DPW Solid Waste Office at 670-235-9570. Callers should be prepared to provide their full name, contact number, location and a description of the debris.
After a request is filed, DPW will schedule a property visit. Residents must allow DPW staff onto private property and may need to guide crews to the debris.
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. The department said those circumstances will be reviewed case by case.
Accepted materials include vegetative debris such as trees, branches, logs, leaves and plants; construction and demolition debris including lumber, drywall, roofing materials, concrete, bricks and furniture; sheet metal and tin; household hazardous waste including paints, oils, batteries, chemicals, pesticides and cleaning supplies; electronics including televisions, computers, radios, printers and solar panels; and appliances and white goods including refrigerators, washers, dryers, stoves, ovens, water heaters and air conditioners.
SWEEP is one of several federal and local recovery programs operating across the islands in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
