Dr. Dela Cruz is correct in saying that the NOAA official, Allen Tom, cannot take sides; he can only report on what happened in Hawaii with Papahanaumokuakea. According to the Marianas Variety, Mr. Tom told Dr. Dela Cruz that the Hawaiian monument created 25 jobs and gets about $8 million in annual federal funding.
The Iverson report predicts that our monument would get approximately one quarter the federal funding of the Hawaiian monument. It predicts that 14 jobs directly funded by the federal government would be created and that the first year of federal funding would total approximately $1.67 million. Federal funding would not be the only source of revenue, however. There would also be an increase in research and education dollars and tourism from the private sector. All told, not just including federal dollars, the monument will create 400 jobs and provide $10 million in direct spending.
If Dr. Dela Cruz does not want to read the entire report, for the sake of expediency he can turn to Table 3 on Page 10 and Table 6 on page 12 of the report. We hope this clears up the confusion.
LETICIA CAMACHO
San Roque, Saipan
