Inos green-lights Sea Touch project

Sea Touch Saipan LLC can now proceed with its plan to build a $1.125-million shark and stingray marine park project at the beachfront of Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos approved the submerged land lease agreement between the company and the Department of Land and Natural Resources after signing House Bill 18-198, HS1 into law on Friday. The measure is now Public Law 18-68.

“Because DLNR has conducted a thorough examination and careful consideration and has determined that this project will not adversely affect the protection, preservation, and uses of marine resources, I am pleased to affix my signature to the Sea Touch Saipan bill,” the governor said.

Inos hopes the shark and stingray marine park project will enhance the CNMI as a tourism destination as well as contribute to the government’s coffers.

“This revenue-generating bill will add value to our islands as a unique tourist destination. As we continue to see our tourism numbers increase, it makes sense to combine our natural resources with new technology in a sustainable way with a project such as the Sea Touch Saipan. I’m excited to see this project up and running.”

Baldyga Group special projects director Troy Williams welcomed Inos’ signing of the submerged land lease agreement.

“We are extremely happy and looking forward to setting up a world-class operation [on] Saipan. Upon word of the signing we have executed lease agreements and moved forward with purchasing our equipment for installation. We will begin hiring in December,” he said.

Baldyga Group, which operates SandCastle at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, owns Sea Touch and has already spent $275,000 for the project.

The submerged land lease between Sea Touch and DLNR is for 1,481 square meters located by the Fiesta Resort & Spa beachside in Garapan.

Under the agreement, Sea Touch will pay DLNR $12,000 a year for five years. The lease may be renewed for up to 20 more years, with each renewal term of up to five years. Williams also promised that the company would employ 10 to 12 local staff.

Sea Touch agreement is a landmark deal since it will be the first time the CNMI will be leasing its submerged lands after President Barrack Obama reconveyed its 3-mile submerged lands back to the islands in 2013.