CNMI closer to doubled matching fund waiver for Army Corps projects

Posted on May 21 2014

Tag: Army Corps, CNMI, House, Northern Mariana Islands

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan’s (Ind-MP) provision in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act that U.S. House and Senate conferees negotiated for months remains intact, ensuring that the waiver of the local match requirement for Army Corps of Engineers projects in the CNMI will double from the current $200,000 to $400,000.

“This will increase the current $200,000 waiver, set in 1986, to reflect inflation over the last 28 years. The new waiver amount will mean more federal funds invested in the Northern Mariana Islands and Commonwealth money can be used for other priorities,” Sablan said.

Seven years had passed since the last water resources bill was enacted. Once both the House and the Senate vote to approve the negotiated bill, it will head to the President for his signature.

Some of the recent Army Corps projects in the CNMI include the Rota Harbor improvements completed in 2008, and the Susupe-Chalan Kanoa Drainage Plan to address flooding in those villages.

Haidee V. Eugenio | Reporter

Haidee V. Eugenio has covered politics, immigration, business and a host of other news beats as a longtime journalist in the CNMI, and is a recipient of professional awards and commendations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s environmental achievement award for her environmental reporting. She is a graduate of the University of the Philippines Diliman.

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