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DLNR continues to study draft EIS, says Seman
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will continue to conduct its own review of the draft environmental impact statement on proposed “live-fire” exercises in the CNMI.
According to DLNR Secretary Richard Seman, the review, however, will only involve the areas that the DLNR covers, including flora and fauna.
“We have our own division, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, tasked to look into the draft EIS,” Seman said, adding that one major area that the division is looking into is the protection of endangered species.
Seman said DLNR is open to collaboration with other agencies conducting their respective draft EIS reviews. “In fact, we are closely working with [Northern Islands] Mayor Jerome Aldan on the draft EIS review,” he said.
He added that DLNR is also providing its own resources and expertise to Aldan, whenever Aldan needs them.
Pagan, one of the islands indicated in the draft EIS to be used as a bombing target, is part of the Northern Islands.
Priorities
The department’s proposed budget for fiscal year is $2 million. DLNR presented its budget in a hearing on Wednesday at the Legislature.
Seman said his department will prioritize two areas—personnel and programs—once the budget is approved.
He said one of the priorities is to “promote” a number of trainees in the department who have been in their positions for 10 years now.
In terms of programs, Seman said there will be two programs for DLNR to focus on: agriculture and fisheries.
Seman said the DLNR is anticipating a growth in the CNMI’s tourism industry in “three to four years” when all the hotels will go “online.”
“We need to prepare farmers, scale up production. We anticipate these hotels to purchase from local sources, so there is a need to scale up the production,” Seman said.
