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Tinian homesteads need funds for necessary infrastructure
The Division of Environmental Quality has approved 20 permits for the West San Jose Homestead on Tinian, according to DEQ’s David Rosario, but building on properties are not allowed until certain infrastructure are in place.
“What these people are doing is just cleaning around, staking out their property, planting vegetables,” Rosario listed as activities permissible on site.
Saipan Tribune learned that there are no septic systems in place on the 100-plus lots issued by the Department of Public Lands.
According to Rosario, the homestead’s major siting permit essentially says that “no houses can be built until electricity or water is there.”
The homestead was discussed in a Division of Coastal Resource Management board meeting yesterday. It was learned that Tinian homesteaders have been “putting pressure” on the Tinian delegation to appropriate funding for the required roads, power, and water so building on the homesteads can begin.
Right now, homesteaders are left to mere cleaning their property and planning. It was discussed how the homesteads would be developed without any running water in place.
Drains and cesspools also cannot be built, it was learned, as part of permit conditions stipulated by the Department of Public Lands, which has already given cost breakdowns and estimates to the Tinian Legislative Delegation.
