Kilili bill supports CNMI ocean and coastal research
Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) introduced a bill supporting ocean and coastal research in the CNMI.
In his weekly e-newsletter, Sablan said, “Together with congressmen Don Young (R-Alaska) and Frank Guinta (R-New Hampshire), I introduced legislation this week to continue the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.”
Sablan cited that the Commonwealth government is a member of PacIOOS, one of 11 regional councils that partner with 17 federal agencies in the system.
The lawmaker said PacIOOS has installed monitoring buoys off Saipan to measure and forecast wave action, weather patterns, and water quality and temperatures.
“Understanding flood hazards, ensuring safe navigation and search and rescue capabilities, and gathering data on fisheries and water quality are important areas of research for the Northern Marianas and all of America’s coastal areas,” Sablan said.
He added that the bill he introduced, H.R. 2744, will provide $36 million annually through 2019 to this program.
