The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality (BECQ) was established on November 12, 2013 under Executive Order No. 2013-24, which merged the Division of Environmental Quality and the Division of Coastal Resources Management into one Bureau under the Executive Branch.

The purpose of the merger is to enhance efficiency and collaboration through integration of services and strategic goals, shared resources, and elimination of overlapping responsibilities.


Notice to Visitors

  • BECQ is open to serve the public Monday to Friday | 8:00am to 4:00pm.
  • Designated visitors entrance is through the BECQ Main Entrance (automatic doors) and parking in front of the BECQ building.
  • BECQ applications are readily available for pick-up on the 1st floor of the BECQ office.
  • Safety measures are practiced in our office for the protection of our visitors and our staff.

For additional assistance, contact our office.

Technical Staff and Administrative Services

Director, Zabrina S. Cruz

The DEQ Director is the regulatory authority who oversees all DEQ programs, compliance activities and enforcement actions. The Director provides oversight and direction to program management and staff, and ensures that standard operating procedures are followed and federal requirements are met.

Technical Staff

DEQ has jurisdiction over the land, air, and sea, with the mission to protect and preserve the CNMI’s natural resources and bodies of water.

  • Ken Bautista, IT Specialist -
  • Michael Tan, Environmental Engineer -
  • CDR, Travis Spaeth P.E., MSEM, -
  • CAPT. Brian Bearden P.E., BCEE, -

DEQ Administrative Services

The Administrative branch protects public health and the environment by providing clerical support, correspondence management, procurement, budgeting, accounting and development of operational methods and procedures for all DEQ program and activities.

  • Bernice C. Babauta, Grants Management Specialist
  • Jasmine Che, Grants Management Specialist
  • Rikki Camacho, Federal Program Coordinator
  • Godiva Asanuma, Administrative Specialist
  • Nora Vincent, Administrative Assistant