Environmental assessment to be completed this month

The consulting firm for the project to develop Kalabera Cave into an environmentally friendly and accessible tourist destination is set to finish its impact assessment report this month.

Consultant Herman B. Cabrera and Associates presented its initial Environment Assessment report for the proposed project during a public hearing on New Year’s Eve attended by about 40 people at the Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School in San Roque.

In response to a comment why the public hearing is scheduled at a time when all the people are busy preparing to welcome the New Year, Cabrera said they needed to meet with the deadline.

Project coordinator Roman Demapan said they have already completed 30 percent of their EA and that the hearing is to gather comments that are important and “will become a matter of public record.”

Comment forms were distributed to those who attended the hearing. The deadline for submission of public comments had been set on Jan. 15. Comments maybe submitted at the Joeten Kiyu Public Library in Susupe and at the office of the Department of Public Works Technical Service Building.

The document is also available online at http://www.4shared.com/file71965523/cf2d2551/EA_Report_for_Kalabera_Cave_30_Submital.html or contact 670-234-1778 or email hbc@saipan.com.

Representatives from various government agencies and sub-consultants were also present to update the public on what they have accomplished so far at the site.

The sub-consultants include Swift and Harper Archeological Resource Consulting, Allied Pacific Environmental Services, Inc., Genevieve Cabrera, Dan Wooster and Castro and Associates.

The government agencies that are part of the project preparation are DPW, Division of Fish and Wild Life, Department of Public Lands, Historic Preservation Office, Department of Environmental Quality, and Coastal Resources Management.

Ed Arriola, chair of Marianas Visitors Authority’s Destination and Enhancement Committee, was also present to explain their role on the proposed improvement project.

He said his committee’s objective is to identify new projects, and one of these is the Kalabera Cave development project.

The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Interior through the Office of Insular Affairs.

DPW is the implementing agency.

According to an overview report, the purpose of such a project is to address the need to develop one of Saipan’s historical, archeological and geological treasures into a leading tourist attraction and contribute to the expansion of tourist arrivals to the CNMI.

It said that the overall long-term goal is to provide a safe, economical, attractive and least invasive development that would contribute economic and educational development with within the tourist and local market.

The improvements to be made will include construction of parking spaces, landscaping, entrance-road access toward the cave, gift shop and snack bar, restroom, and handicap access.

Other specific improvement works to be done will be perimeter lighting, cave interior stairways and lighting, ventilation system, and signage.