CRM holds permit for water park project

Citing a public law that prohibits the construction of permanent structures within 150 feet of the high water mark of beaches, the Coastal Resources Management had no choice but to temporarily hold World Resort Saipan’s permit to build a multi-million dollar water park.

The decision was made during a board meeting held yesterday at CRM’s Oleai office that was attended by representatives from the Division of Environmental Quality, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., Historic Preservation Office, and Department of Public Works.

According to CRM legal counsel and assistant attorney general Jeffrey A. Moots, a portion of the water park design made by Henry K. Pangelinan and Associates violates Public Law 12-33, which states “the board may not transfer an interest, and may prohibit the erection of any permanent structure, in public lands located within 150 feet of the high water mark of a sandy beach, except that the board may authorize the construction of facilities for public purposes.”

“We just have to make sure that everything is clear so that nobody could challenge it and make a problem with it,” said Moots.

He added that CRM understands everyone wants to move forward on the water park project and his office wants the investors and the hotel to be successful as much as possible in this endeavor.

HKP Associates’ Joe Pangelinan said they were happy that CRM conditionally approved the water park design but felt bad they were not given a clear date to start construction.

“These people [World Resort representatives] were given the lease of that land area,” he said.

CRM permitting manager Martin Castro said they approved the permit but the commencement is still an issue due to Marianas Public Land Authority’s 150-feet restriction that requires proper attention.

“[The] permit has been approved but we still have to resolve that particular issue. …That could be done in about a week or two,” he said.

Castro said they do not anticipate a redesign of the development plan, which still depends on the resolution of that issue.

Upon resolution of the 150-feet restriction, Castro said World Resort has to submit all the rest of the condition requirements for the actual start of the construction.

MPLA chief of compliance John Gonzales also attended the meeting yesterday. Though he was not a voting member, he said the issue has to be resolved.

“It’s in the lease,” he said, adding that they must make sure that there is a balance in the need to protect citizens within the parameters and guidelines of statutes and laws relevant to the project.

At the same time, he said people involved must be aware of the economic development the project will bring to the CNMI.

Gonzales said they should be both proactive for the people as well as for economic development. “We cannot compromise one for the other and we must be able to, with due diligence, protect both sides of the equilibrium.”

Gonzales said CRM must clearly define what constitutes permanent structure versus what is not.

“We have to sit down with World Resort, permitting agencies, AGO and our MPLA legal division,” he said, to make sure that these issues are resolved to the benefit of all parties involved.