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Community Briefs

NEW MEMBER OF PAROLE BOARD

 

Lt. Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, who is also the acting governor, has appointed Fr. Vaiula Iulio with the local Catholic Church as the newest member of the Parole Board. His appointment makes him the fourth member of the board, which selects its own chair person.

 

In his nomination letter, Lemanu says he is confident in Fr. Vaiula’s ability to exercise sound judgment, to provide counsel and direction, and to carry out the statutory duties of the board.

 

He joins current board members Ipu Lefiti, Uso Lagoo and Tauaifaiva Solomona. Parole board members are not subject to Fono review and confirmation.

 

Lemanu said each member serves an indefinite term until such time that his or her successor is duly qualified and appointed by the governor. He asked all ASG entities to support, and where appropriate assist the Parole Board in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

 

Local law says the five-member board is appointed by the governor; all of whom are not employed with the local government.

 

AMERICAN SAMOA VIOLATION CITED IN FED REPORT

 

The U.S. Justice Department’s environmental enforcement report of fiscal year 2013 includes the more than $3 million fine and penalty levied against a New Zealand based fishing company when one of its vessels was found guilty of violating federal pollution laws in connection with waters around American Samoa. 

 

USDOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) Accomplishments Report Fiscal Year 2013 released Tuesday was in time for the commemoration of the worldwide “Earth Day” observance.

 

Robert G. Dreher, the acting assistant attorney general for ENRD, says that in FY 2013, the Division secured over $1.788 billion in civil and stipulated penalties, cost recoveries, natural resource damages, and other civil monetary relief.

 

He says ENRD strives to ensure that all Americans enjoy clean air, water, and land. Over the past five years, USDOJ has renewed its commitment to environmental justice, which is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental and natural resources, laws, regulations, and policies, he added.

 

In the ENRD report, there are two cases dealing with American Samoa in FY 2013 and the first is against New Zealand based Sanford Inc., which owned and operated the fishing vessel San Nikunau, which fished primarily tuna in the South Pacific Ocean and sold its catch at U.S. ports.

 

“Some of the world’s most pristine marine ecosystems are in the South Pacific,” it says and noted that Sanford, Ltd., and the San Nikunau’s chief engineer were convicted by a jury of conspiracy, violating pollution law, and obstruction-of-justice.

 

Sanford, Ltd., was sentenced to pay a $1.9 million fine and a $500,000 community service payment to the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation. The company also must serve a three-year term of probation and institute an environmental compliance plan.

 

The chief engineer was sentenced to serve 30 days of incarceration, followed by five months of home confinement, to pay a $6,000 fine, and to complete a two-year term of supervised release. A second chief engineer who pled guilty was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine and to complete a one-year term of unsupervised probation.

 

The second case from American Samoa was against Singapore-based container ship company, Pacific International Lines. The company, which owned Southern Lily 2, was sentenced to pay a $2 million fine and an additional $200,000 in community service projects which is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. PIL also will complete a three-year term of probation and will implement an environmental compliance plan.

 

Southern Lily was also accused of violating pollution laws when it comes to waters around American Samoa.