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Pinatang reserve bill struck down
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Posted on Mar 30 1999
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has vetoed a bill that proposes to establish the Pinatang Park Marine Wildlife Reserve aimed at protecting the marine resources in the island municipality of Rota due to concerns on enforcement and issuance of permits.
In a letter to the Legislature, the governor explained that while he supports local efforts to preserve the marine wildlife on Rota, he was worried over a provision that authorizes the mayor to issue special fishing permits during officially declared fiestas.
Tenorio told members of the Rota Legislative Delegation to correct the deficiency in the proposal that also provides for penalties to anyone convicted of violating the permit issued by the Rota resident director.
Under the proposal, violators will be fined $1,000 and imprisoned for not less than 30 days. The minimum mandatory jail term shall not be suspended or deferred.
“I strongly support preservation of the natural beauty and the marine resources of our islands…This bill, although slightly modified…still contains some of the concerns that existed in the prior bill,” the governor said.
