Ceremony for Tinian applicants set for Apr. 24

Hundreds of qualified Tinian homestead applicants will receive their congratulatory letters from the Department of Public Lands on April 24, even as Public Lands Secretary John S. Del Rosario said that Tinian and Rota homestead applicants should patiently wait for the actual distribution of lots as DPL hurdles regulatory agencies’ requirements, among other things.

Three of four members of the Tinian Legislative Delegation chaired by Sen. Joseph M. Mendiola yesterday said they stand ready to assist DPL in preparing for the April 24 ceremony.

“We understand the legal and regulatory issues that must be met under the homestead program and we’re thankful for your leadership and patience on this effort,” Mendiola, Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, and Rep. Edwin P. Aldan told Del Rosario.

Del Rosario, in a phone interview, said there are over 400 homestead applicants on Tinian, but some of them were found to have also filed similar applications on Rota.

DPL, he said, has also been working with regulatory agencies like the Division of Fish and Wildlife to make sure the Mariana mallards, a bird species endemic to the Marianas, are not impacted with the development of homesteads in the area.

“The archaeological survey will be done soon, and the actual land survey will happen in about a month or two. Upon the completion of the land survey, the DPL office on Tinian will call the recipients for the drawing of the lots,” Del Rosario said.

The request for proposal for the land survey is expected to be issued next week.

The Tinian Legislative Delegation, in their two-page letter to Del Rosario, acknowledged that actual issuance of homestead lots also hinges on an impending survey on West Tinian and other scattered lots.

“Our people, more specifically the would-be recipients of the congratulatory letters, would welcome this day with gratitude,” they added.

Sen. Jude U. Hofshneider, chairman of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs and secretary of the Tinian Legislative Delegation, earlier said Tinian residents have waited far too long for at least 400 homestead lots, even as DPL had said on Jan. 9 that these lots will be distributed by early February.

“Tinian homestead applicants have waited far too long for this process to be completed and at a minimum, they deserve to know when this issue will be resolved,” Hofschneider told Del Rosario.

May or June distribution on Rota

On Rota, there are over 500 homestead applicants but only about 100 are available for distribution, said Del Rosario.

The DPL secretary said a drawback on the development of homestead and agricultural areas on Rota is that a large portion of these sites is inhabited by the Marianas crow or aga, an endangered bird species. He said DPL is working with DFW on how best to develop these areas for homesteads, to balance the need to provide homesteads and protect bird species.

Homestead lot distribution on Rota will be either in late May or early June, said Del Rosario.