These are the boardwalk trail, the access road and parking, according to project consultant Martin B. Castro who presented the environmental assessment for the proposed Lake Susupe Boardwalk Trail project.
“Mitigation for those identified impacts have been presented,” Castro said.
But no one from the community appeared during the public consultation on Tuesday night at the Coastal Resources Management Office in San Jose.
“We still have to wait for the result on the compliance with Section 7,” Castro told the Variety.
Castro was referring to consultation/review involving the public, the CNMI government, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Office of Insular Affairs, since the proposed project is federally funded.
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act outlines processes for consultation to address species whose critical habitats may be affected by the project, said Castro.
“No smoking and no noise rules are strictly recommended and will be implemented,” Castro said, referring to the construction phase and when the project becomes operational.
The project, he added, must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Among those that participated in the consultation were CRMO, the government’s capital improvement projects office and Henry K. Pangelinan & Associates.
Castro raised concerns about the presence of endangered species like the reed warbler and endemic species like the Mariana common moorhen that are found within the Lake Susupe area.
Tilapia is also abundant in the lake, he added.
The project includes a boardwalk trail, two view towers, rest areas, interpretive signs, access road enhancement, foot pathway, parking and restrooms.
Castro said project aims “to educate and instill in the general public and visitors a level of respect and value for wetlands, provide a high quality eco-tourism experience that will enhance Saipan’s tourism industry, and at the same time preserve the quality of the area’s environment.”
Castro said the boardwalk trail will be more than 3,000 feet long and six feet wide, with eight interpretive signs.
The view towers will be 10 feet and 15 feet high and the 1,000 feet foot pathway and access road will be widened and paved with asphalt.
