Funding sought to develop Outer Cove Marina into commercial facility

An employee of a marine sports operator crosses on a collapsed bridge at the dock of the Outer Cove Marina in this file photo taken in April 2019. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony Benavente said yesterday that they are looking at possible future funding to develop the Outer Cove Marina into a commercial facility.

At a hearing for DLNR’s budget for fiscal year 2023 before the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, Benavente disclosed that the Outer Cove Marina is one of their office’s main areas of concern. When asked what are some of the major expenditures DLNR anticipates for the upcoming fiscal year, Benavente said they are looking at future funding to improve or develop the Outer Cove Marina and turn it into a commercial facility.

“But again, the project requires a lot of funding,” he said, adding that the department and Gov. Ralph DLG Torres are looking for $5 million that can be used to create an Architectural and Engineering plan to develop a breakwater. He said developing a breakwater is the key to the development of the Outer Cove Marina. A breakwater is a permanent structure built in an area to protect against waves, tides, and storm surges.

It was reported in 2020 that based on estimated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, it would take more than $16 million to fix the Outer Cove Marina.

On Sept. 30, 2019, DLNR indefinitely shut down the Outer Cove Marina due to its “deteriorating condition,” particularly the bridge going toward it that has already collapsed.

Also present at the budget hearing were Division of Fish and Wildlife director Manny Pangelinan, Land Registration and Survey director Joaquin Songsong, Division of Agriculture director Jack Ogumoro, and Division of Parks and Recreation acting director Ray Sablan.

The directors also discussed with the committee their projects, concerns, and goals for fiscal year 2023.
Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota) said that DLNR submitted a total budget request of $3.9 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Manglona said that’s for a combination of six divisions to include Agriculture, Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, Soil and Water Conservation, Land Registration, and Natural Resources or the Secretary’s office.

Of the total amount requested, approximately $3.1 is proposed for personnel for a total of 101 positions, he added.

In addition, $783,000 is being requested for operations and $7,000 for utility, Manglona said .

However, he said, the governor’s proposal allocates $2.13 million and 93 personnel.

“This computes a shortfall of $1.76 million,” said Manglona, adding that they did hear from Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig that there will be a revised budget submission on July 1, which shall include additional funding for operations.

Benavente said that, with that revised budget, DLNR is hoping that they will be budgeted according to their request for fiscal year 2023.