Marine sports vendors wait for the start of a closed-door meeting with the Department of Public Lands
THE Department of Public Lands met with marine sports vendors on Thursday, July 25 regarding proposed changes to the commercial rules and regulations pertaining to Managaha.
The media was not allowed in the meeting.
Former Rep. Richard Lizama said he helped organize the meeting on behalf of the marine sports vendors.
“If they are not allowed to go to Managaha how can they do business?” he asked. “I’m here to support [marine sports vendors],” he added.
Chung Lee, from BSea Incorporated, was there to oppose changes to the rules and regulations.
She said the rule changes could result in “fewer opportunities” for marine sports vendors, which eventually will harm the wider community.
“If this passes, I want the general public to know that majority of the marine sports operators [and] boat owners who take tourists and the locals to Managaha will have to close our door, close our business,” she said. “That will affect our employees. Their family will have their dad or whoever is working for that company … be affected also.”
On July 15, DPL announced its intention to amend the commercial rules and regulations for Managaha. DPL wants to prevent the consumption of outside food and beverages in its main concessionaire’s exclusive concession area; restrict certain personal floatation devices in the designated swimming zone; and “further define” the type of commercial activity that may only be conducted by the main concessionaire and authorized sub-concessionaires.
The main concessionaire for Managaha is Marianas Global Inc.
“Commercial activity” is defined as “any activity conducted on Managaha for profit (or resulting in profit) by an enterprise or person required to have a business license to conduct the activity.”
The list of activities includes, but is not limited to, the preparation, delivery, sale or provision of food; the rental or sale of water sports equipment, recreational equipment, or beach equipment; “the conduct or operation of any tour on Managaha or departing from Managaha, regardless of how or by whom the persons engaging in the activity were first transported to the Island, including any and all underwater activities … and any and all surface water activities”; the “sale of any goods or services on the Island”; and the provision of entertainment there.
The public notice also states that the main concessionaire does not have “the exclusive right to provide transportation to and from [Managaha].”
However, “Managaha to Managaha commercial activity” and/or “Managaha to Saipan commercial activity” can only be conducted by the main concessionaire or its authorized sub-concessionaire.
For example, if a person is picked up on Managaha for parasailing and then returned to Managaha at the conclusion of the parasailing activity, such activity is the exclusive right of the main concessionaire or its authorized sub-concessionaire. It would likewise be the exclusive right of the main concessionaire or its authorized sub-concessionaire even if the person was picked up on Managaha but parasailed to Saipan.
The written public comment period is ongoing. The deadline is Aug. 14. Written comments can be sent to Teresita Santos, DPL secretary, P.O. Box 500380, Saipan, MP, 96950 or dpl@dpl.gov.mp. Use the subject line “Proposed Amendments to the Commercial Use of Managaha Island Rules and Regulations.”
