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The CPA and the US Air Force
It is a bit surprising that there have been no news reports on the announcements made by the U.S. Air Force at the Commonwealth Ports Authority public hearing on Tinian last week regarding the status of the divert facility.
The Air Force made it clear that the decision to proceed or not proceed with the $375 million construction project is in the hands of the CPA board of directors, as it has been, essentially, since the concept was first introduced some six years ago.
The mayor of Tinian requested that the Air Force consider helping out Tinian by providing a fuel tanks system for private aircraft, as well as landing system. The Air Force stated that they were aware of these requests, and had studied them, but could not legally incorporate civilian construction in the military construction project.
However, they did state that the Air Force was willing to begin negotiations with CPA for a lease on the 200-some acres of adjacent land they need to complete the project at $20 million.
Therein could lie the funds for the completion of Tinian civilian airport, should the CPA board successfully conclude the negotiations and then decide to use these funds for that purpose.
Readers might ask why CPA is negotiating a land lease instead of public lands. This would make a great research project for NMC students. The original lease was concluded in 1975 by the political status commission. At the request of the people of Tinian it has been amended several times. Once to provide for the expansion of the airport to bring direct flights to Tinian in support of its gaming industry, and once to provide lands for Tinian’s cattle ranchers. Who conducted those negotiations?
All this information should be available at the CNMI Archives at the Northern Marianas College. But it is not, despite Public Law 3 CMC Section 1305.
Don A. Farrell
Marpo Heights, Tinian
