In an interview, Faisao said the archeologist post of the Historic Preservation Office was vacant.
HPO also does not have a historian “due to insufficient local funds.”
Faisao said the federal funds to pay a historian require local matching which will be determined by the CNMI government budget bill that must be enacted into law on or before Oct. 1.
There is also a federally funded position “recently vacated” on Tinian, Faisao said, but the paperwork is still being processed for a vacancy announcement.
HPO also needs a director to continue to receive federal funding. Faisao is the acting director.
He said DCCA obtained permission from its federal grantor office to enter into a contract with Victorino April, a private archaeologist from Guam.
Faisao said April will assist HPO’s undertakings on all identified or newly discovered historic properties in the CNMI.
The archeologist, he added, will also determine the scope of work before identifying historic properties in the commonwealth.
Moreover, April will help HPO review background information, reach out to “knowledgeable parties” and conduct additional studies as necessary.
Faisao said once the announced position for the archeologist is filled the contract with April will cease.
