Scarlett: Saipan is enchanting, spectacular

Visiting Interior deputy secretary-designee P. Lynn Scarlett describes Saipan as enchanting, spectacular, and a great place for outdoor activities.

“As I woke up this morning, the first thing I saw when I opened the window was a spectacular view of the ocean, the vegetation. I was absolutely enchanted,” related a cheerful Scarlett on Tuesday.

She said Saipan has so much to offer in terms of outdoor and ocean-related recreations.

“From a personal note, I see in Saipan tremendous opportunities for outdoor and ocean-related recreations, whether it’s snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply the beautiful, beautiful beaches,” said the DOI official, who together with Insular Affairs deputy assistant Secretary David B. Cohen, led the Business Opportunities Mission to the Pacific.

The mission, composed of executives from 15 U.S.-based companies, ended its two-day visit to the CNMI yesterday.

Scarlett, who joined the delegation’s tour of northern Saipan Tuesday morning, said the ocean and the cliffs, particularly Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff, are “simply exhilarating.”

“There’s just so much untapped potential for tourism here,” she said.

Scarlett was recently nominated by President Bush to serve as the Department of the Interior’s deputy secretary—the department’s second-highest official after Secretary Gale Norton, who had been to the island herself over a year ago.

Currently, Scarlett is assistant secretary for policy, management, and budget.

Scarlett’s visit Saipan this week is her first. “I’m absolutely delighted to see Saipan,” she said.

Scarlett, and the delegation left Saipan for Palau yesterday afternoon.

The DOI official, her staff, and the delegation members, who arrived on Saipan Monday night, stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Saipan.

Scarlett and Cohen reportedly skipped the group tour of the southern part of the island Tuesday afternoon to meet separately with Gov. Juan N. Babauta on Capitol Hill and Labor Ombudsman Jim Benedetto.

Scarlett and Cohen were set to fly to Anatahan yesterday morning, together with U.S. Geological Services personnel.

The CNMI is seeking federal grants to install volcanic monitoring devices in the Northern Islands.

Members of the mission held one-to-one meeting with local business people at Hyatt.