Previous Story
Rota board member hot about blocked access to a waterline
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board discussed on Wednesday a letter from the Rota delegation regarding access to waterline for local agriculture.
During discussion, acting CUC executive director John Riegel said this unused water line was a “CUC asset.” Right now, it is not being used but Riegel noted there were long-term plans to put in a different line.
Rota board member Albert Taitano asked why it was closed, saying he was told the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would not allow them to “go in there” because of fruit bats in the area.
Riegel confirmed this, prompting Taitano to ask for this in documentation.
Taitano also urged Riegel to set up a meeting with Fish and Wildlife.
“The question that I have is, for the longest time we have been using it on Rota and if the issue is the fruit bat or Fish and Wildlife—the fruit bat has been there for hundred of years, so I don’t see what’s the issue. The fruit bats were there even before U.S. Fish and Wildlife came into Rota. That’s why I want you to invite USFW so we can sit down and talk. If anybody knows about Rota, it’s us Rotanese, not USFW,” he said.
