Pagan? The REAL Environmental Story

As Azmar’s reclamation biologist, it is good to see that Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano and the members of the Senate are still supporting our application to extract pozzolan from Pagan.

It is unfortunate, however, that a reporter found it necessary to repeat old news that was manufactured for public sensationalism by PaganWatch. If Cinta Kaipat and PaganWatch are so truly concerned about Pagan’s environment, why aren’t they hounding DEQ to look into the 30 or so rusty, leaking barrels of oil at J. G. Sablan’s work site on Pagan?Why aren’t they screaming over the several discarded equipment batteries leaking sulfuric acid into the ground? Why aren’t they hollering about the derelict hulks of machinery wasting away as eyesores upon the landscape? This sight was aired for everyone to see on KMCV when the governor visited there during the typhoon relief presentation he made last year. Apparently, not one of the “PaganWatch” followers had the courage to call DEQ or do anything at all. Does that demonstrate a commitment to environmental protection?

Yet they seem convinced that Azmar will completely destroy their “pristine” island. Why is Ms. Kaipat so adamant about stopping Azmar—and Azmar alone? She and others of the group have watched other attempts at “coral pit” mining of Pagan come and go with no comment.

The question of Azmar doing another environmental impact study on Pagan is old news that we have responded to before. I simply do not understand why daily news stories continue to repeat it. The benchmark study was done by the U.S.G.S in 1957. A new study was done in 1987 by Cynthia Camacho Bower for Pacific Ventures during their attempt to extract pozzolan from Pagan. Yet another was done for J. G. Sablan in 1992. Even more, there was a complete transect survey done on Pagan by the U.S.G.S. that determined with the most accurate means available how much pozzolan was deposited by the eruption of the early 1980s. Random samples were also taken from throughout the field and at various depths. These were sent to no less than two leading international laboratories. Both determined the quality and viability of the product.

For what reason does MPLA’s scant public funds need to be wasted on yet another study of what has already been done by the best scientific people in the world three times? Azmar has already conferred with CRM on the issue, and agreed to do an update of those studies—after we receive our permit. Again, to make it simple, Azmar cannot contract to do a study on Pagan until we have a permit that delineates our boundaries. Azmar cannot sell pozzolan until we have a permit that allows us to do so. After all, you wouldn’t repair a car or sell a car you don’t own, would you?

Azmar will do all the studies that are necessary, and probably some that are not, when we know for sure where we will be working. After all, it is certainly in the best interest of Azmar and the CNMI’s indigenous people to know exactly what we need to do and how to go about it! Azmar has no problem with other agencies, and I don’t think they have a problem with us. The only problem we have is MPLA—an agency negatively resounding almost daily through many news stories, being sued by just about everybody, and certainly not living up to their charter to further progress to the benefit of the CNMI’s indigenous people. Meanwhile, MPLA spends dollars as if they were in endless supply on first-class excursion trips and just look at the size of their “legal” staff! And what do the people get? No land claims settlements. No new homesteads. No new source of income. No new investments. No beneficial land transfer actions. Endless courtroom dramas. We know there are still a few good people at MPLA. Speak up and show us who you are!

When Azmar actually receives a permit to work, I will be responsible for making sure that the area where pozzolan will be removed is appropriately assisted to return to an environmentally secure place as similar in nature as possible to pre-eruption status. That will be no easy task. It has no ever been done before anywhere! However, my 30 years of experience, the last five of which were associated with Pacific Island limestone forest recovery, tells me that this challenge will be met. But that is not the whole story. Azmar has given me a free hand, and a big budget to experiment with and develop potentially advantageous cash crops that can make Pagan the horticultural hub of the Marianas and benefit every local indigenous CNMI resident who wants to homestead Pagan and share in the potential.

And the public can be confident that I will do a good job, because my Chamorro wife of 30 years and our extended family of 1,000 years will make sure I do. All we are asking for is the same chance the others had. They blew it big time, we won’t! So, Pagan Watch, stop with the unfounded scare tactics trotted out by Peter and Cinta and others every so often. Do something positive for a change. You can start by getting the environmentally disastrous mess left by others (that you already know about) cleaned up now! Their slice of the “pozzolan pie” is being contaminated and ruined day after day and will never be of use to anyone.

Dr. Thomas D. Arkle, Jr.
San Jose, Tinian