Kagman watershed project’s funding concerns to be addressed in meeting

Attention all farmers and Kagman residents.

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the Saipan and Northern Islands SWCD are hosting an informational meeting about the Kagman Watershed Project in the area.

“We strongly encourage your participation in this meeting that will be at the Kagman Komunidat Center. The meeting is from 6pm to 8pm on July 27, 2005,” both agencies said in a statement.

The Kagman Watershed Project was authorized for construction on Nov. 4, 1993 through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, as administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Since then the project has tremendously progressed and developed. Some of the developments and improvements are: Construction of a three-mile irrigation system with service turnouts, five irrigation wells, diversions, waterways, sediments basins, culverts and water control structures. All these structures were designed to collect and direct stormwaters away from residential and agricultural areas in Kagman and to store the water for irrigation purposes.

“Because of funding shortfall, both agencies are now fighting to complete this project for your continued benefit,” the agencies said.