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Gov. Ralph DLG Torres\u2019 meeting last week with Saipan Cares for Animals director Beth Pliscou was \u201cextremely productive, and many of SCA\u2019s concerns were clarified or resolved,\u201d according to a news release today from the Office of the Governor.<\/p>\n
The news release stated that Torres will continue to support SCA, but made clear that he has not and will not overstep the Commonwealth Zoning Board\u2019s authority in SCA\u2019s application processes.<\/p>\n
The news release expressed Torres\u2019 continued support for SCA, but also clarified details about Torres\u2019 Jan. 25 meeting with Pliscou and some agency officials.<\/p>\n
The release first noted that \u201cneither the Commonwealth Zoning Board nor a representative from the Zoning Office\u201d was present at the Jan. 25 meeting. However, the office said that Torres met with Zoning\u2019s chairman and Zoning\u2019s administrator on Jan. 24 to get more information on SCA\u2019s situation.<\/p>\n
Instead, present at Torres\u2019 Jan. 25 meeting with Pliscou were Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony T. Benavente and Division of Fish and Wildlife director Manuel M. Pangelinan.<\/p>\n
Saipan Tribune<\/em> mistakenly reported last week that \u201can official from the Commonwealth Zoning Board\u201d was at the Jan. 25 meeting with Torres, Pliscou, and DFW\u2019s Pangelinan.<\/p>\n Pliscou told Saipan Tribune<\/em> last week that, according to DFW, one concern the agency had with SCA\u2019s future As Lito property was the presence of endangered birds on the land. The governor\u2019s office confirmed these details.<\/p>\n \u201cGovernor Torres met with Beth Pliscou to offer assistance in addressing issues concerning SCA\u2019s permitting application for its new property in As Lito to the Division of Fish and Wildlife and the mitigation requirements relating to the presence of endangered bird species on the property,\u201d states the press release.<\/p>\n The Office of the Governor\u2019 said that Torres\u2019 Jan. 25 meeting with Pliscou, Benavente, and Pangelinan \u201cwas extremely productive, and many of SCA\u2019s concerns were clarified or resolved. Torres, however, has not and will not overstep Zoning\u2019s authority for SCA\u2019s application processes, and has full faith and confidence in the Zoning Board\u2019s ability to carry out its mandates.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe Zoning Board is doing the best they can. I understand and share the community\u2019s sentiments regarding our need to provide access to professional animal care in the Commonwealth, however, we must ensure that all laws and regulations are followed in the process,\u201d said Torres.<\/p>\n Torres said that Pliscou also understands that Zoning is doing the best it can and that SCA and Pliscou are grateful to the Zoning Board for approving previous extension requests at SCA\u2019s current As Gonno facility.<\/p>\n Torres added that he too is excited for SCA\u2019s move to its future As Lito property, where the organization \u201cwill have more space to conduct their important services and do so within the parameters of all applicable laws and regulations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe continue to offer SCA our full support and thank them for their continued service to our animal population\u201d, said Torres.<\/p>\n