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FAA advises vs. cemetery plot
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Posted on Jan 15 1999
The Federal Aviation Administration has warned the Commonwealth Ports Authority against releasing two hectares of leased land at Rota International Airport for the establishment of a Veterans Cemetery.
In a letter to Carlos H. Salas, FAA civil engineer Daniel S. Matsumoto said removal of the property from the ports authority would reduce the income of the airport and constitute revenue diversion.
As a result, the property must be appraised at fair market value. “If an exchange of property is proposed, both properties must be appraised,” Matsumoto said.
Furthermore, the ports authority must show that the property would not be required for airport purposes. Matsumoto stressed that use of the land must be made compatible with the airport.
The planned conversion of airport property into a Veterans Cemetery was a result of the Senate resolution requesting the Board of the Division of Public Lands to work in coordination with the Veterans Affairs Office and CPA to look for a suitable tract of land on the island-municipality of Rota.
Adopted on December 17, 1998, the resolution noted the contribution of the local people of Rota during World War II, thus, they support the idea of establishing a Veterans Cemetery.
Since the property falls within the jurisdiction of the ports authority, the resolution said CPA should work closely with the two government agencies to make the land available for a Veterans Cemetery.
