Private groups meet with CRM to define lagoon use

Private groups, users and government agencies met Wednesday evening at the Coastal Resources Management office for a public hearing on possible conflicts arising from the use of the Saipan Lagoon.

CRM acting director Steve Tilley said the purpose of the meeting was to hear from people who use the Saipan Lagoon about the different areas they are currently using the area and any conflicts that they may have experienced with other users.

Tilley said the meeting was attended by officials and specialists from CRM, National Parks Service, U.S. Geological Survey and private groups such as Paradise Marine, J & K Marine Sports, Triathlon Federation, Audy Jet/Marine, Outrigger Canoe Club, Yacht Club, and BSEA Inc., as well as individuals such as fishermen, kite surfers, and the media.

Tilley said there are dangers and conflicts that participants aired related to swimmers, motorboats, jet skis, and canoes. He said the objective of the meeting was to talk to the different users to understand whether the areas they are using is working for them or conflicts with other users.

CRM specialist Kathy Yuknavage said it was suggested that sections of the lagoon be designated as “swim zones” for training and racing events. She said it is important to consider this since a lot of money is being brought into the CNMI by triathlete-tourists that compete in XTERRA and Tagaman events every year, thus their safety and other regular swimmers must be prioritized

For motorist boat operators, Yuknavage said it was suggested that Sugar Dock be converted to a public beach park and must no longer be used as a commercial port. “It could then be given back to Department of Lands and Natural Resources for management instead of the Commonwealth Ports Authority,” she said.

As for sail boat operators, it was mentioned that during the semi-annual regattas, the sailboats have had conflicts with divers at a site located at the north end of their sail route between Managaha Island and Lower Base areas. The regatta takes place in February and May and it was stressed that dive operators must observe these events and stay clear of the designated areas for safety reasons.

The fishermen recommended more visibility for the buoys, saying that reflector tape could help but it should be routinely maintained by those responsible for the buoys. They asked that CPA and Division of Fish and Wildlife be asked to use reflectors and regularly maintain the buoys, as the U.S. Coast Guard maintains theirs. It was also suggested that these buoys be repaired after storm events or whenever they are relocated.

They also suggested that two buoys be placed to demarcate the channel at the Light House Preserve, one red and one green to make it easier for boaters to see their path of ingress and egress.

Participants also questioned why banana boats operators are given such a large area to operate from several beaches on the western shore to Managaha Island. They said it would be better to reduce the area of operation to a transport corridor between Managaha Island and a couple of pickup points to two larger ride circuits, so as not to disrupt fishermen in the area.

Yuknavage said that CRM would still work with the operators to narrow the transport corridor and designate a couple of wider ride circuit areas. Banana operators said limiting their use zone might create an adverse effect on their operation because there are quite a few operators on the island but CRM said a banana boat operator meeting should be held. The meeting should discuss shared transport corridors and create smaller ride circuits to free other lagoon users.