DLNR eyes fisheries complex in Garapan

Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Joaquin Tenorio disclosed yesterday that DLNR is scheduled to complete within a few weeks a feasibility study on the costs and impact of setting up a fisheries complex in an area across the Kristo Rai Church in Garapan.

The DLNR project is envisioned to make way for a permanent downtown central market where fishermen and farmers can sell their fish and agricultural produce.

Mr. Tenorio revealed the project’s status before members of the Saipan Rotary Club yesterday, where he also briefed business leaders on ongoing DLNR efforts being administered by seven of the divisions that make up the whole department.

The Division of Public Lands, however, is reportedly set on reserving the proposed central market lot to accommodate prospective developers who have expressed desire to construct a hotel within the area, according to Mr. Tenorio.

“We’ve had discussions with the developer to accommodate the market for agriculture and fisheries. We have not ironed out a concrete agreement yet but we’re hoping to convince them to provide us space for our natural resources development,” said the secretary.

He added he has yet to persuade the public lands office to designate the abandoned old bungalow across the Horiguchi Building as the venue for the wet and dry market.

Unlike the weekly Sabalu market, DLNR is targeting the central market to operate on a daily basis, seven days a week.

“Hopefully, if they do build that hotel, some of the tourists can also come down and buy at the market place,” he said.

Mr. Tenorio said the total costs and funding sources for the DLNR undertaking have yet to be determined after the feasibility study is finished.

“It’s not going to happen overnight. We foresee construction of the market probably sometime next year,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tenorio also enlightened Rotary Club members yesterday on different functions and tasks assigned to each DLNR division which include the Division of Agriculture, Division of Coastal Resources Management, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Division of Land Registration and Survey, Division of Parks and Recreation, Division of Public Lands, and the Northern Islands Soil and Water Conservation District.

The guest speaker informed the audience of the role of CRM as the agency in charge of monitoring the marine environment; DFW as the division that collects data on commercial fishing; DLRS as the agency that continues the development of a Geographical Information System; DPR as the maintenance division in charge of improving 25 existing public grounds, parks and facilities; DPL as the agency tasked to handle land and homestead matters; and others.