DLNR: Grazers derail government projects

The continued refusal of ranchers to vacate identified areas designated for the proposed Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank hampers the implementation of significant projects in the Commonwealth.

Aside from developmental projects, the CNMI continues to hold off on the signing of the mitigation agreement with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, a contract which has been in the can for more than three years now.

But Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Joaquin Tenorio remains hopeful current problems surrounding the project will be resolved in due time despite criticisms hurled by the Legislature that nothing has been done to address existing concerns.

Mr. Tenorio also mentioned the possibility that within the next two weeks, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, the Marianas Public Land Corporation and DLNR will finally sign the long-delayed agreement with the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The secretary explained that concerns raised by USFW are being addressed, and that only the proposed mitigation bank project remains the standing block in the agreement.

Aside from delays in the construction of several private and government-owned projects, the Commonwealth is also losing extra revenue due to the ranchers’ persistent refusal to vacate the mitigation site in Marpi.

“The mitigation bank is needed for several projects including the 3,000 homestead lots, and other projects that can’t proceed because of one important requirement which is the mitigation bank,” explained the DLNR secretary.

Aside from improving the habitat of endangered species like Nightingale Reed Warbler, the project will serve as a buffer for golf course projects.

The DLNR official stated that Marpi is the only identified location for the proposed mitigation bank. Grazing activities under the agreement is considered incompatible with the habitat conservation.

The secretary said court cases have been hampering the implementation of the project and legislators are carefully weighing options to resolve the problem regarding the grazers.

Legislators again asked for an extension for the ranchers despite the 90-day period given by the court, said the secretary. He acceded that the problem stems from the fact that parties involved continuously refuse to meet with DLNR officials to put an end to the problem.

Concerns on the bank’s long-delay include impeding prospective developers from pushing through with its expansion projects in light of a CNMI and a USFWS signed agreement.

Once the CNMI and the Service agree on the terms, the Public Lands will then deed the Bank Land to DLNR and file the legal documents establishing Marpi as a conservation area.

The development of the Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank began in 1996 when the USFWS said it would begin enforcing the provisions of the Federal Endangered Species Act in the Commonwealth.

Mitigation or conservation banks are designed to enhance habitat protection for species that are threatened or endangered. They provide alternative to the standard practice of having each developer or development project create and manage individual mitigation areas.

The 393-hectare facility will make it easier for developers to meet their mitigation obligations, instead of making the developer responsible for all the biological and ecological aspects of the mitigation, the bank provides these services in exchange for a free paid by the developer.

Since 1996, DLNR has been working with the Service to develop the much awaited project. When completed, the mitigation bank will make it easier for public and private development projects to meet the requirements of the ESA.
But the Service and the CNMI still need to agree on certain requirements concerning the bank and to develop a legal agreement that would officially establish the program. (EGA)