“We just can’t accommodate all homestead applicants due to lack of available public lands here,” he said.
Since the moratorium on homestead applications was imposed in 2006, DPL has received 3,878 applications, some of which date back to the early 1980’s, he added.
Rabauliman said DPL made an assessment and identification of plots in the Northern Islands in 2005.
But the plan did not materialize because of funding issues, he added.
Likewise, he said, DPL has yet to get any information whether the Northern Islands, some of which are active volcanoes, are now safe for resettlement.
Rabauliman said they have identified public lands on Saipan for the homestead program but lack of funds is preventing its implementation.
DPL is also awaiting for the results of the cleanup of the Formerly Used Defense Sites that are considered for homestead, he said.
These are in Napta, Panadero in Marpi and I-Denni on Capital Hill.
DPL planning supervisor Pat Rasa said the development of homestead on Rota and Tinian is still on progress.
She said DPL has contracted HK Pangelinan & Associates to conduct and prepare the environmental impact assessment, cadastral and topographical survey in Fina’fa on Rota.
The contractor will also create the subdivision design and temporary permanent water control plans for the homesteads, she added.
On Tinian, she said, a request for proposal for the soil assessment of the San Jose homestead village is scheduled for publication next week.
“The secretary wants to finish it this year,” Rasa said, referring to DPL Secretary Oscar Babauta.
Rasa said the 299,735-sq. m. land area on Tinian will be divided into 181 lots while the 181,717-sq.m. land on Rota will have 143 lots.
