By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Ports Authority on Saturday approved an emergency procurement for the removal of “dangers to navigation” that a federal agency found in the Tanapag harbor.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has said that these danger spots are threats to navigational safety on the island.
It was in Aug. 2003 when NOAA conducted a preliminary reconnaissance survey of Tanapag harbor at the request of CPA.
As a result of the survey, NOAA provided a list of dangers to navigation.
From this list, CPA said it prioritized the most critical six spots affecting vessel traffic.
Three were successfully removed from the harbor while attempts to deal with the other three areas proved unsuccessful given their large size.
In 2005, CPA asked the U.S. Navy on Guam to assist in the removal of these “dangers to navigation,” or DTONs.
According to CPA, although the Navy expressed interest in assisting, further efforts to remove the remaining three DTONs would require either another emergency maintenance permit or the issuance of a maintenance dredging permit to include all areas within the entrance channel and turning basin margins.
A total of 29 DTONs in the channel were identified.
In Dec. 2005 CPA received the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ maintenance dredging permit.
“The possibility of using explosives to remove the DTONs was considered as this approach would allow for expedited removal and minimal cost. But it was not allowed under the dredging permit as it would most likely cause substantial damage to the environment,” CPA stated.
Last February, the Navy offered to remove the DTONs which CPA accepted.
The cost of the project is to be $110,000.
On Saturday, the CPA board approved the emergency procurement for the dredging of the harbor, in preparation for the arrival of a NOAA vessel on or before April 24.
The vessel will conduct a survey and compile data.
NOAA has recommended the removal of the DTONs in the Saipan harbor, CPA said.
According to CPA, “the removal of the DTONs, coupled with the conduct of a hydro graphic survey by NOAA, would clearly validate the soundings and depths in Tanapag harbor; it will address the issue of safe navigation of all vessels transiting Tanapag harbor; and address the concerns relayed by U.S. Navy on Guam and improve the prospects of future port calls of U.S. vessels.”
Dredging activities are expected to start this week and the contractor was given eight days to complete the activity. The contract was awarded to Saipan Crew Boat Inc.