Lagoon project could affect 18 land parcels

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer disclosed Monday that portions of at least 18 land parcels in Quartermaster and on Beach Road would be affected when the Corps begins the Saipan Lagoon Restoration Project, which aims to control the flow of runoff into the Saipan lagoon.

In a report presented to the 14th CNMI Legislature yesterday, the Corps disclosed that nine areas would be affected along the China House site, where five landowners have yet to be identified. The Army Corps has already identified four owners of the affected lots.

At the Quartermaster area, seven owners were identified while the government reportedly owns a parcel of land near the cockfighting arena; another owner has yet to be identified.

“It is anticipated that a portion of each of the listed parcels for the China House and the Quartermaster sites will be needed for the project. According to our records, the parcel adjacent to the cockfighting arena is owned by the government of Saipan,” said the report.

According to the Corps, these properties for retention are needed for acquisition and may pose potential concerns. Also, the Corps said that one of the problems that need to be looked into is the periodic sediment removal/cleaning and maintenance of the recreational features of the basins and bio-filters.

The Saipan Lagoon Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Study presented yesterday disclosed that the restoration activity would reduce the amount of sediment entering the lagoon, improve the water quality, control localized flooding, increase groundwater recharge, and create recreational features.

The report added that future urbanization of the project watershed would increase stormwater runoff to the lagoon and the lack of comprehensive stormwater drainage system creates significant flooding during rainfall events.

It said that since 1994, there has been an increase in water quality violations at the Garapan Fishing Dock that reached nearly 70 percent by 2001. These violations are due to surface water runoff that transports contaminants like bacteria and chemicals from onshore activities into the lagoon.

The project would include the construction of retention/detention basins that would reduce nutrient load to the lagoon, provide flood control, recharge groundwater aquifers, and can be used for recreational purposes such as soccer and baseball fields and golf courses.

According to the U.S. Army Corps study, the multi-use retention would improve the quality of the lagoon water.

The project would be co-shared by the CNMI and the federal government with 35 percent and 65 percent share respectively.

The CNMI would also receive a $200,000 waiver on the local cost of the project; federal contributions by the federal government would be limited to $5 million, the report added.

“The CNMI will provide the lands, easements, right-of-ways, relocations, and disposal areas required for project implementation. The CNMI will be responsible for all costs associated with project features not contributing toward the federal project objective such as parking lots, lights, [and] restrooms for recreational facilities,” the report added.