The Environmental Quality Protection Board ( EQPB) is asking for an additional funding of $ 130,000 to improve the operation of the agency.
According to a letter to Congress from EQPB Board Chairman, the additional money will be used to hire new staff, especially an engineer, and will be used for the upcoming Pacific Island Environmental Conference.
It said that there have been delays in reviews of permits because of a lack of staff.
The House of Delegates has earlier passed on the third reading a proposed law that will empower state governments to establish their own state environmental permit system.
House Bill 11-62-6 stated that state governments are given “autonomy and ownership” over their environment and have their own Environment Quality Protection Board ( EQPB) permitting system to “better respond to the needs of their community and preserve and protect their states’ environment.”
The bill calls for amendment in the current EQPB law, which when passed will streamline the issuance of building permits.
The bill will also authorize state governments to conduct the environmental review, including the health and social impact review for construction and maintenance, repairs of roads, docks, and housing including renovations and extensions and traditional structures.
The bill however said that the state governments will still have to follow EQPB’s environmental standard.
EQPB asks Congress for additional funding
