The Marpi clearing activity was discussed during the meeting.
Division of Environmental Quality Frank Rabauliman wanted to discuss it in executive session — that is, closed — but majority of the officials preferred an open discussion.
There was also a letter from a private company questioning Joyner’s authority in determining the need for major siting permit, Rabauliman said.
He wanted it discussed in an executive session to consult their legal counsel, he added.
Joyner earlier told the Department of Public Lands that major siting permit “is no longer required” for the Marpi project.
But Joyner interpreted his letter to DPL differently.
He said he was not making a determination for a major siting requirement.
Sablan disagreed.
The letter, she added, indicated that the CRMO director was making the determination.
Rabauliman said there is also a document stating that Joyner was “delegated” the authority to determine a major siting permit requirement.
Sablan objected to an executive session and told Joyner that CRMO breached its fiduciary responsibility by not issuing a major siting permit prior to the clearing activity in Marpi.
She also noted that CRMO did not hold a public hearing regarding the clearing activity.
Ruth L. Tighe, an online commentator who attended the meeting, said to her recollection, the public hearing she attended a year ago was about the unexploded ordnance disposal in Marpi and not necessarily the land clearing activity.
She said unexploded ordnance can be removed without destroying the area’s wild habitat.
