Former Rep. Tina Sablan, however, finds it troubling that the administration “would try to distort Pula’s letter and imply in its public statements that the federal agency has come out in strong partisan support of power poles in a National Historic Landmark.”
Pula’s letter relied on the local agencies’ assurance that power poles have “no adverse effect” on Marpi’s natural environment and its characteristics as national historic landmark.
Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan said the administration “wholeheartedly welcomes” the latest communication from OIA. It should also provide the Friends of Marpi the clarification they are seeking, he added.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial told reporters yesterday that Pula’s response showed that his administration went through the proper process and followed all procurement regulations and other environmental and historical preservation requirements.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos said OIA already looked at all the concerns raised by some members of the community regarding the Marpi power poles.
Pula’s letter, Inos added, indicates that OIA did not think the power pole installation was an issue.
“I hope that [his letter] settles the issue,” Inos said.
Sablan, one of the Friends of Marpi, disagreed.
Pula’s letter, she said, affirms that the original plans for the Marpi cemetery’s power source indicated on-site generators.
It also affirms that the CIP office changed those plans nearly a decade later to include power poles, and that the power pole project received approval from the Coastal Resources Management Office at that time.
Sablan said the OIA letter also indicates that the CNMI Historic Preservation Office consulted with the U.S. National Park Service and issued a Section 106 letter in November 2009 finding “no adverse effect.”
This letter, however, refers only to the public cemetery, not the power poles, she added.
“It is important to remember that this power pole project was approved and commenced without a single public hearing, in the absence of a comprehensive land use plan and a fully functioning HPO, and in complete disregard for the public outcry and the numerous community, business, and tourism organizations who have appealed for more transparency and more reasonable power alternatives for the public cemetery,” she said.
“We hope that OIA would share in our concern about the CNMI government’s spin on their letter. We also hope that the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will duly consider all of these circumstances as they move forward with their review of this project,” she added.
