Tinian divert lease amended

The Department of Defense recently notified the Commonwealth Ports Authority and Tinian officials that the existing Tinian divert airfield lease agreement needs to be amended in order for the DOD to implement a certain project, but the short notice given has raised a concern among CPA and Tinian officials.

Commonwealth Ports Authority board members, as well as Tinian officials, did sign off on the amendments to the divert airfield lease during a special board meeting yesterday, but they also stressed that the short amount of time DOD gave was disappointing.

CPA chair Kimberlyn King-Hinds, who is from Tinian, was one of those who spoke out against DOD’s failure to provide ample time to engage the Tinian community about the lease amendments.

“When we’re talking about accountability and transparency, that requires public notices and giving the people meaningful opportunity to respond. The issue with the divert lease is not substantive. I think the concern is basically that there wasn’t proper notice that was given and there was not enough opportunity to engage the community and give them notice that this was happening. It’s our responsibility to the community, especially the community of Tinian, who is directly impacted, to inform them of these changes whether they are small or big. It’s our duty,” she said.

King-Hinds noted that yesterday was the deadline to sign off on the amendment to the lease agreement, but CPA and the Tinian municipality were only given notice about it late last week.

The U.S. Air Force Divert airfield construction north of the Tinian airport runway. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

“CPA does recognize the urgency because if this document is not signed, it stands to significantly delay the project. We’re not interested in delaying DOD’s projects; that’s not the point. Obviously the people of Tinian support this activity, but the issue basically is I’m sure there was someone aware that an amendment was required to the lease and the fact that it was delivered at the last minute, and then we’re expected to act on it immediately, that’s highly problematic because this is not how things should be done,” she said.

King-Hinds briefly explained that the amendment basically asks for easement rights to be included in the existing lease.

“This basically is to ensure that pipelines can be properly laid out and that there’s easement for utility,” she said.

In addition, another amendment to the lease includes a provision requiring the DOD to clean up any and all contamination found that didn’t exist prior to the enactment of the divert airfield lease agreement.

“One of the concerns is this baseline study that has been updated shows that there’s oil contamination as well as other unknown substances. So one of the things this amendment to the lease does is it requires DOD to clean up whatever contamination didn’t pre-exist at the time of the lease. This amendment incorporates that,” she said.

Tinian Mayor Edwin Aldan, who was also present at yesterday’s special board meeting, shared King-Hinds’ sentiment.

“I don’t see a problem with the amendments. The issue is the manner in which DOD is routing these documents. We’re a little disappointed because we were given like a week to sign something so important. However, we are in support of the project itself,” he said.