DPL Secretary Oscar M. Babauta said the Northern Islands residents have legitimate concerns, but his department is still involved in two major homestead projects for Tinian and Rota.
He told Northern Islands Mayor Tobias DLC. Aldan that the two projects have been on the “drawing board” for several years due to the time consuming procedures required by the CNMI government and federal agencies concerning environmental impacts and endangered species.
“While we continue every effort to resolve the two projects, I have assigned staff to gather necessary information required by P.L. 16-50,” he told the mayor in a letter.
The law, enacted in Jan. 2009, established a village and agricultural homesteading program in the Northern Islands.
Babauta assured Aldan that after DPL concludes the work on the two projects they will immediately fast-track the Northern Islands village and agriculture homestead project.
“We will advice your office as soon as we are ready to proceed with the Northern Islands project,” he said.
