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Tinian mayor to DoD: Use leased land or give it up
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Posted on Feb 21 2012
By Clarissa David
Reporter
Reporter
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz said the U.S. Department of Defense should either use or give up its lease on the island so that the local government can come up with activities that would stimulate the island’s economy.
Dela Cruz said in an interview that the DoD leases two-thirds of Tinian that it has not used.
According to Dela Cruz, it is “only fair” for the federal agency to use the lease. Otherwise, the land should be handed back to the Tinian municipality for subsistence or commercial farming.
“Use your lease on Tinian or get out of it so we can develop the two-thirds of the island into other economic activities,” Dela Cruz said.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial had recommended Tinian as an alternative site for an emergency airfield for the U.S. military and Dela Cruz said he is “very happy” with the governor’s “strong recommendation.”
The U.S. Air Force held in October 2011 open house scoping meetings on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota to solicit public comments in preparation for an environmental impact statement or EIS to develop a divert airfield alternative location to Andersen Air Force Base.
Dela Cruz, who is a member of the CNMI-Military Integration Management Committee, said he has been “the main proponent of actually designating Tinian as a divert operations for the Air Force” and has been working very hard to see it become a reality.
The mayor said he already sent his comments for the EIS, the final draft for which is expected to be done by May.
“This is the time that we should work together to make this happen,” added Dela Cruz.
