Previous Story
Grounded ship to be sunk in Laulau Bay
|
Posted on Feb 24 2009
A sea vessel that ran aground at the Sea Plane Ramps in Lower Base several years ago is being considered for sinking in Laulau Bay to create a new dive site for local and foreign scuba divers.
The rusting M/V Charito, which sits abandoned near the Port of Saipan, would be cleaned of pollutants then refloated and towed to Laulau Bay by the USNS Safeguard, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority.
MVA is applying for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the ship sinking project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now soliciting public comments about the impacts of the proposed activity on the general environment, endangered species, historic properties and water quality, among other things.
Deadline for comments on the proposed project is March 3.
MVA proposed to sink the M/V Charito in Laulau Bay on a sand bottom in order to create another dive site for local and tourist scuba divers.
The vessel will be anchored with concrete anchors to prevent the vessel from moving in the event of storms, MVA said.
According to the Army Corps public notice dated Feb. 2, MVA has incorporated into the proposed project some mitigation efforts to reduce the impacts to the aquatic environment, including cleaning of the vessel according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
After cleaning, the USEPA and U.S. Coast Guard marine safety officer must inspect and approve the cleaning prior to the vessel leaving the harbor and being towed to the site.
“The project would not have the same effect if moved to a non-aquatic setting. The vessel has little to no historic value. Site election and mitigation of any adverse effects on the environment have been considered, balanced off against the potential economic benefit the project would have,” the public notice said.
The Army Corps said comments are used in the preparation of an environmental assessment and/or an environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
Comments are also used to determine the need for a public hearing and to determine the overall public interest of the proposed activity.
