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Public comments sought on Sugar Dock reconstruction project
File photo shows a young man leaping from the Sugar Dock in Susupe into the southern part of the Saipan Lagoon as his friends watch. (MARK FARMER)
Two CNMI environmental agencies are inviting the public to comment on the planned reconstruction and dredging of the Sugar Dock and its boat launch in Susupe.
The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality and Division of Environmental Quality announced in a public notice Monday that the CNMI Department of Public Works plans to rebuild the Sugar Dock and revitalize the existing boat launch and the public may comment on this project before it starts. DEQ said it would be receiving public comments from March 16 until 4:30pm of April 14, 2023.
In their shared notice about the proposed work on the Sugar Dock, BECQ and DEQ said the plan is to demolish the current standing Sugar Dock, excavate the base, and rebuild the dock the same way, just with larger interlocking blocks and adding on a concrete sediment jetty that will help prevent the rapid sand build up, especially at the current boat launching ramp. DPW will be dredging the sand buildup directly north of the Sugar Dock to about -3 feet mean low water to create a new shoreline that will revitalize the use of the existing boat launching ramp, and allow a 10-year maintenance dredging authorization for the area.
As one of the steps toward the start of this project, DPW must obtain a Water Quality Certification from BECQ, but before issuing the certification, BECQ must assure that the project being proposed complies with provisions of the CNMI Water Quality Standards, and not interfere or endanger aquatic and human life. The public notice stated that, since as the quality, protection, and maintenance of the site are historically in the hands of the people as a legal right, BECQ and DEQ need and are inviting the community to share their thoughts.
The project is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and requires the Water Quality Certification from BECQ, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act.
