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Pacific leaders discuss land issues in Saipan conference
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Posted on Feb 05 2001
Officials of Department of Land and Natural Resources are contemplating on possible agreement with private land owners in the Northern Marianas to discuss preservation of resources and erosion problems.
Although private lands are no longer under the administration of DLNR, the need to implement measures in order to properly address some major concerns raised by landowners necessitates the agency’s involvement, according to Division of Agriculture acting Director Stanley Villagomez.
This and other land issues will be discussed as members of the Pacific Island Council sit down for the PIC Committee Conference today.
Mr. Villagomez said at least 30 members of the PIC are expected to participate in the five-day conference which will be held on Saipan for the first time.
Experts from the United States Department of Agriculture are scheduled to arrive and facilitate the discussion on present land problems, forestry issues and technical and financial assistance which can be readily availed by council members.
Representatives from Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, Kosrae, Guam and other Pacific nations will present case problems and perennial concerns that must be addressed immediately.
The acting director stressed that with the conference, DLNR hopes to gather enough information on the issues at hand and resolve them. He added experts will be available to discuu the problems thoroughly and provide insights and assistance.
“In the CNMI, our problem are the private lands which are no longer our responsibility but several cases of erosion occurred on this land and we can offer assistance to private land owners, this is a specific project that we have to plan,” said Mr. Villagomez.
