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HPO entertains new zip line proposal
The Historic Preservation Office said a new company is proposing to build a zip line project on Saipan after a similar proposal was thumbed down by the government agency a couple of years back.
HPO board chair Pedro A. Duenas Jr. said they discussed a number of issues during their board meeting last Thursday and among them was a new proposal to build a zip line project in Marpi.
“We had several issues about the zip line project as well as other problems we need to follow up since we only had a meeting last year in March. We had a bad typhoon not too long ago, so it’s no wonder some things were thrown back because of it. Now we’re just trying to put all the board members together to do our part and help the public,” he said.
Duenas confirmed that a new company, which he didn’t name, is indeed applying to construct a zip line in the northern part of Saipan.
“Before, the person we were working with in regards to the zip line project suddenly disappeared, not sure if he quit or something, so another company had to take over,” he added.
Another issue the HPO board tackled was with regards to Alter City Group’s planned $1.2-billion casino resort in Puntan Diablo on Tinian.
“There were several historical sites that would have been affected by the construction so we had a discussion on their importance and whether or not a structure would be built on top of them. I believe Tinian has its earth-moving permit still pending. As with the human remains policy, we just wanted to add another condition to the existing law that helps protect the remains of people on our island. The condition just assures us that the remains will be even more safeguarded,” Duenas said.
HPO vice chair Hiroyasu Kurashina said, “It was very productive. We dealt with several major issues pertaining to the preservation problems within the CNMI. We had a very open and frank discussion so I think that contributed to the progress we attained here today.”
Last week’s board meeting also saw new board member Eugenio L. Villagomez undergo an orientation. Elizabeth D. Rechebei, Francis X. Hezel, and D. Colt Denfeld are the other members of the HPO board.
