CPA intensifies efforts to seek federal funds for breakwaters

The Commonwealth Ports Authority disclosed Friday that massive lobbying efforts are currently being undertaken in the US Congress to ensure funding for the Tinian and Rota breakwaters.

CPA Executive Director Carlos H. Salas said initial appropriation of $150,000 from the Energy and Water Development Appropriation Act has been approved by the US Congress for the projects that will be carried out by the US Army Corps of Engineer.

However, the reconnaissance study of US Army Corps of Engineer will only be undertaken to assess potential navigational improvements, shoreline protections and breakwater protection.

Funds for the actual repairs of the Tinian and Rota breakwaters would be secured once the feasibility study is completed. Feasibility study, according to project manager James Hatashima, will take at least three to four years.

In a report, Mr. Hatashima said the reconnaissance study is scheduled to be completed by October this year. The study will help determine whether or not there is a federal interest in proceeding into the feasibility phase.

He also said the reconnaissance study will take about one year to complete.

After the feasibility study, the US Congress will then proceed with the Pre-construction Engineering and Design before allocating financial assistance to push through with the actual construction which will take at least another two years.

Mr. Salas said CPA gained the support of Sen. Daniel Inouye of Hawaii who vowed to secure funding allocation for the breakwater project repair and to prevent further deterioration of the existing harbors.

The Tinian and Rota breakwater are annually subject to passage of typhoon and are considered significant for waterborne commerce. The Tinian breakwater was constructed in 1944 and parts of the inner facing sheet file already collapsed.

The executive director explained that individuals instrumental with the Tinian and Rota breakwater projects have been in constant communication with supporters in the US Congress.

He assured ports officials that the US Congress is aware of the project and the necessity to repair the two harbors.

Mr. Salas said immediate action has to be taken since the damaged breakwater can spell danger to the berthing and docking area of Tinian harbor.

Clamors for the repair of the Tinian breakwater came to the attention of the CPA following reports that parts of the breakwater cells collapsed and might cause serious damage to trade and tourism industry of the island.

The 4,600-foot breakwater built on the shallow fringing coral reef has already deteriorated and no longer serves its original intent to provide protection to harbor basin from waves.

While a second 3,500-foot breakwater originally constructed of interlocking steel sheet pile in a circular cell configuration to protect the ocean-facing side of the Tinian seaport had been destroyed by Typhoon Pamela in the late 1970s.

Also, the eastern most 1,000-feet at the end of the breakwater had likewise been diminished and advance deterioration of cells in other sections have exposed the facility to complete failure.

The Tinian Harbor was constructed in late 1944 by the US Navy Seabees and the US Army Corps of Engineers to implement the final phase of the Manhattan Project, and nothing has changed — from structures to materials — since then. (EGA)