Environmental study of Saipan Lagoon finally takes off

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer has started a study aimed at restoring the Saipan Lagoon’s ecosystem by improving the water quality in the lagoon area, said Milton Yoshimoto, project engineer.

A team from the Army Corps arrived last Sunday to begin collecting baseline data which will be used in making an environmental analysis and drawing up recommendations.

In restoring the degraded ecosystem in the lagoon, the Army Corps study will cover the areas between the Quartermaster Road and the fishing area across the Horiguchi building.

“We are looking at the runoff from Middle Road down to Beach Road and arrest the flow of the water so that it does not reach the lagoon,” he said. The team also includes Lincoln Gayagas, design engineer, and Dan Nakamura, environmental engineer.

Various alternatives are being discussed on how the surface runoff, which has become a big concern during the rainy season, could be addressed through a joint effort with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the Department of Public Works.

This is the first time that such a study is conducted in Saipan by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer.

With the rapid urbanization of Saipan due to the mushrooming of many businesses, the U.S. Army Corps and CRM noted the importance of drawing up an ecosystem management plan for Saipan Lagoon to determine the different types of marine life and recommend the necessary conservation measures.

In protecting the lagoon’s fragile environment, Acting Coastal Resources Management Office Director Peter Barlas has temporarily suspended the issuance of all new commercial water sports permits to prevent further degradation of the Saipan Lagoon and nearshore waters off Tinian and Rota.

Mr. Barlas said Saipan lagoon has already reached its carrying capacity to safely and environmentally accommodate marine sports activities. CRMO has already given 70 water sports permits in Saipan which include the operation of jetski, water ski, wakeboarding, seawalker and banana boat within the lagoon. Pending applications in the agency will not be affected.

While the agency has not initiated a specific study on the impact of marine sports, Mr. Barlas said CRMO has received several letters expressing concern on its effect on the critical situation of the lagoon.