CNMI has no manual for acquiring private lands for public use

The CNMI has never had a right-of-way manual that establishes standard guidelines and procedures for acquiring private property for public highways, sometimes displacing families from their own land without uniform and equitable compensation.

On Friday, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution requesting the Department of Public Works to draft and adopt a right-of-way manual to provide uniform and equitable treatment for persons whose property is acquired for public use.

The House adopted eight other resolutions, six of which are thanking private and public agencies for helping Reach Out Pacific bring to Saipan a container load of donated books, book shelves, toys and linens from Hawaii.

House Resolution 16-81, introduced by Rep. Victor B. Hocog, says the right-of-way manual should include at least six set standard guidelines and procedures, including those for the inventory of all public right of ways in the CNMI and surveying and mapping of right of ways.

The revised Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 requires all federal, state and local government agencies and other receiving federal financial assistance for public programs and projects that require the acquisition of real property to comply with the policies and provisions in the Act.

The CNMI receives Federal Highway Administration funding and is responsible for developing such a right of way manual, according to the resolution.

“The right of way manual is important for the Commonwealth government in order to qualify for Federal Highway Administration funds necessary to acquire private property for the development and construction of highway networks in the Commonwealth,” H.R. 16-81 says.

Rep. Tina Sablan, during the session, was appalled how the CNMI has never had such a right-of-way manual.

The House also adopted House Resolutions 16-82, 16-83, 16-83, 16-84, 16-85, 16-86, and 16-87, thanking Reach Out Pacific and other CNMI government and private agencies for bringing to Saipan 19 book shelves, 50 boxes of books, 100 boxes of linens and 60 bags of toys donated by Hawaii schools and hotels.

Reach Out Pacific, headed by Hawaii State Rep. Glenn Wakai, is a non-profit group which takes surplus medical and educational supplies from Hawaii to Pacific islands. The organization has sent more than $300,000 worth of goods to islands, including the CNMI.

The resolutions, all introduced by Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, also thanked Matson Navigation Co. Inc., the CNMI Division of Customs, FAS Moving & Storage, the Commonwealth Ports Authority, and Saipan Stevedore Co. Inc.

House members also adopted House Resolution 16-88, which conveys condolences and sympathy to the family of the late Howard I. Macaranas, who was director of the Office on Aging when he passed away on April 16.

H.R. 16-88, introduced by Rep. Edwin P. Aldan, also paid tribute to Macaranas for providing services to the people of the CNMI.

The House also adopted House Resolution 16-89, introduced by Rep. Ralph Torres, commending Saipan Southern High School’s Manta Ray Band for its outstanding performance at the 2009 Tumon Bay Music Festival on Guam in March.