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Funding still an issue for Tinian breakwater repair
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Posted on Feb 18 2015
SAN JOSE, Tinian—Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas said funding is still a problem for the island’s seaport, including its breakwater, which is in a sad state of disrepair.
According to San Nicolas, it is one of the big and long-term issues that the Tinian leadership, which includes the Tinian municipal government, the Tinian Legislative Delegation, and Tinian Municipal Council—is trying to address.
San Nicolas said they are also working with the Commonwealth Ports Authority and the U.S. military on possible options for funding.
San Nicolas said the breakwater and seaport would have to undergo several study phases to address the problem.
Between $2 million and $3 million is needed just to rehabilitate the breakwater but, according to information obtained by Saipan Tribune, some $45 million is actually needed to completely rebuild the breakwater.
Tinian’s outer seawalls and piers help break the waves from entering into Tinian’s own seaport and beach shores because the island is bereft of reefs. Fixing the breakwater would also help prevent silting on the harbor.
The severely damaged breakwater structures, built during World War II, are located about 1,000 feet away from the dock. The silting or erosion of debris and soil into the channel over the years has caused it to become shallow.
Meanwhile, San Nicolas said the Tinian reservoir project is still ongoing. The project involves the construction of a half-million-gallon water reservoir in Carolina Heights.
Former Tinian mayor Ramon Dela Cruz first initiated the reservoir project in 2010 and $936,594 has been made available by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.
