AGPs for Saipan have been on moratorium since 2006. At that time, DPL had 47 AGP permittees.
Lifting the moratorium will allow DPL to open existing public lands, laying idle, to individuals interested in utilizing the land as a grazing area for their livestock. DPL currently has 41 AGP permits, which are scattered throughout the island, but mainly located in the Marpi area. DPL continues to identify sufficient sites for livestock and cattle grazing around the island.
Grazing permits are temporary and are renewed annually provided that permittee is in full compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit including the AGP regulations. Allotted hectares per applicant will vary due to type of livestock. Any CNMI resident interested in raising livestock can avail themselves of the agricultural grazing permit once the moratorium is lifted.
Please review the DPL Temporary Occupancy Agreement regulations under NMIAC § 145-70-210:
http://www.cnmilaw.org/pdf/admincode/T145/T145-70.pdf
DPL designates areas of public land for subsistence farm plots
In an effort to increase food sustainability on Saipan, DPL will make available over 200 farm plots, consisting of 1,000 square meters, to private individuals for “subsistence farming.”
This is a new program under DPL in an effort to help reduce our reliance on imported food as well as allow local residents to maximize public lands. These subsistence farm plots are temporary and renewable every year. The DPL team saw the community’s response as a result of the global pandemic when backyard gardening became a popular past time. This allows us to collect a minimal fee for smaller plots of land, while encouraging individuals to grow their own food. These subsistence farm plots are intended for cultivation of food crops.
DPL wants to encourage cultivation of local, sustainable food sources. With the heavy dependence on imported food sources in our community, especially during a time of a global Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to emphasize the benefits of subsistence farming. Subsistence farm plot permits are also on an annual basis. Applications are open to all eligible CNMI citizens.
For more information, go to https://www.dpl.gov.mp
DPL Secretary Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo said, “Our goal is to maximize the use of public lands to benefit the community and it is also important during this time to increase food sustainability here on the island and reduce reliance on imported food. I’m thankful that with the hard work of the DPL Planning Division Director Pat Rasa and Surveyor III Jack Diaz and huge support of the administration, that we are able to do both.”
The lots for subsistence were identified through DPL’s Directive 7 initiative which was instituted by DPL Secretary Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo on May 15, 2020. Directive 7 requires that the respective Divisions under Compliance Director Greg Deleon Guerrero, Planning Director Patricia Rasa, Homestead Director Irene Torres, Land Claims Teresita Guerrero and Real Estate Director Bonnie Royal review their land inventory listings and ensure that public lands that have not already been issued through a grant of public domain, grant of designation/assignment, homestead, lease, etc., are all accounted for. These properties remain on the land inventory for NMDs and Directive 7 ensures that encroachers are charged a fee and are eventually evicted if they refuse to pay for the public land use. Directive 7 is a diligent effort to achieve accountability for all public lands.
Through Directive 7, DPL has identified 10 additional Saipan Village Homestead lots within existing subdivisions. The Planning Division was tasked with maximizing existing subdivisions such as Kagman areas, since water and power are already in place. The additional lots identified are corner lots that remain undesignated, for example, the corner curve along Kagman III. Only people of Northern Marianas Descent are eligible for Village Homesteads, however a moratorium in accepting new applications has been in effect since 2006. During the start of this administration, in 2016, DPL had a total of 3,182 village homestead applicants for Saipan. Today there are currently 2,148 pending applicants. This is a result of the diligent efforts of the Division of Homestead in issuing out revoked idle homestead lots, as well as determining ineligible homestead applicants that have land registered under their name. Another Saipan Village Homestead lottery is scheduled to be held this November.
For more information on the subsistence farm plots, agricultural grazing permits and village homesteads, go to www.dpl.gov.mp or www.facebook.com/DPLCNMI
The Department of Public Lands can also be reached at 234-3751 or via email at dpl@dpl.gov.mp
DPL is located on the 2nd Floor of the Joeten Dandan Commercial Building.
P.O. Box 500380, Saipan, MP 96950 ● 2nd Floor, Joeten Dandan Commercial Building Website: www.dpl.gov.mp ● E-mail: dpl@dpl.gov.mp ● Facebook: www.facebook.com/DPLCNMI Tel: (670) 234-3751/52/53/54 ● Fax: (670) 234-3755
