Dennis Mendiola
SENATE President Dennis James Mendiola last week introduced Senate Bill 24-39, which proposes to reduce — from 300 feet to 150 feet — the area measured from the high-water mark that is restricted from land exchanges on Rota.
S.B. 24-39 notes that existing laws impose differing restrictions on the use and disposition of coastal lands, creating potential for conflict, misinterpretation, or inconsistent enforcement.
Specifically, the bill states that one provision prohibits the transfer of interest and the erection of permanent structures within 150 feet of the high-water mark of sandy beaches, while another provision — applicable specifically to Rota — prohibits the exchange or compensation of public lands within 300 feet.
“These laws must be harmonized to protect coastal resources consistently and clearly,” the bill states. Its purpose is to establish a unified, enforceable set of rules that applies throughout the CNMI.
If enacted into law, S.B. 24-39 would prohibit the exchange for private land of any public land on Rota that lies within 150 feet of the high-water mark, or between the ocean and the first public road in existence as of May 30, 2007 — whichever is closer.
Such land also may not be used as compensation for the taking of private land, nor may any permanent structure be built on it, except for public parks and marine science or fisheries development facilities, the bill states.
