Previous Story
Pew reps learn about Hawaiian monuments
|
Posted on Jul 30 2008
[B]By KRISTI EATON[/B]
[I]Kristi_eaton@saipantribune.com
REPORTER[/I]
REPORTER[/I]
Representatives of the Pew Charitable Trust recently returned from a trip to Hawaii to gather information they hope will better inform the community about the proposed Mariana Trench National Monument in the Commonwealth’s northern waters.
The group traveled to Hawaii to see and learn about the Papahanaumokuakea National Monument, currently the largest marine protected area in the world, and the Mokupapapa Discovery Center, Papahanaumokuakea’s visitor center, said Angelo Villagomez, local Pew staff coordinator.
The proposed Mariana Trench National Monument would include a visitor center similar to the Mokupapapa Discovery Center, which averages 150 visitors a day, he added.
The group also visited the Volcanoes National Park because the proposed Mariana Trench Monument would include two emerging volcanoes.
Villagomez said he wanted to better understand what a similar monument might be like in the Commonwealth.
“[I went] just to get a feel for what something [in the CNMI] might look like, and explain that to people in our presentations,” he said.
Villagomez plans to share video and photos he took while in Hawaii “just to kind of give people an idea of what something similar might look like here.”
Critics, including Rep. Stanley Torres (R-Saipan) and Tinian Mayor Jose San Nicolas, argue the monument will force the CNMI government to hand over regulations on activities like fishing and mining to the federal government. Supporters say the monument will preserve the ecosystem and bring added tourism dollars to the Commonwealth.
Villagomez said he was also able to obtain the draft regulations for the Hawaiian monument, which he is currently distributing to members of the House and Senate.
Pew is now waiting on the White House to announce whether federal officials will conduct a preliminary assessment on the ecosystem at the proposed monument site.
