PETITION TO THE

14th COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE, SAIPAN, CNMI

THE SENATE

URGING IMMEDIATE PASSAGE

OF H.B. 14-204: THE POZZOLAN EXTRACTION ACT OF 2004

We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Senate to take immediate action to pass House of Representatives Bill 14-204, known as the "Pozzolan Extraction Act of 2004."

We are the current or former residents of the Northern Islands. We are also the children and relatives of former or current residents of the Northern Islands. For many reasons, HB 14-204 is OUR bill. It protects OUR Pagan, OUR Island, OUR Home. But HB 14-204 is also a bill for all of the CNMI. It provides time for thought and protection.

The Northern Islands residents have always respected the political wishes of the residents of Tinian and Rota. We only ask that the people of Tinian and Rota accord the Northern Islanders the same respect.

Surely there is not a Senator among you who would deny us our right to participate in this monumental decision that will, in every way, affect our land, our families, our homes and our very way of life. Surely you will respect us enough to allow us the basic right to participate.

Surface-mining more than 20 percent of the land mass of Pagan, with its potential environmental and social impact, is not to be rushed into -- especially when it represents what is perhaps the most valuable natural resource that the CNMI possesses. There is reported to be more than 200 million tons of high-grade pozzolan on Pagan. It is believed to be worth $45-$70 per ton at today's prices. But no one knows the true market value of what is in reality the only natural resource which can benefit all of the CNMI for many years to come. This is not a matter of a few thousand dollars. This is potentially a matter of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

HB 14-204 does not block the mining of pozzolan. It merely provides for a short period of time during which appropriate governmental agencies and individuals will determine the value of our resource, how best to protect our environment, and how best to select a responsible, experienced, and qualified developer to extract the pozzolan.

HB 14-204 creates a Task Force to do what should have been done long ago:

-- Verify the quality and quantity of Pagan's pozzolan mineral resources

-- Investigate the marketability of pozzolan to determine its potential value

-- Determine the qualification requirements of persons and companies applying for permits to extract pozzolan to protect the CNMI’s resource

-- Set permitting procedures

-- Set a fee and royalty schedule

-- Ensure appropriate revenues are collected for Northern Islands Development

-- Ascertain potential risks to the environment for mitigation

This is not a special interest Task Force. The Task Force will be made up of appropriate representatives from existing government agencies, including the Northern Islands Mayor's Office, Marianas Public Lands Authority, the Division of Environmental Quality, the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Finance, the Department of Public Works, Coastal Resources Management, and the Commonwealth Development Authority.

The Task Force has only 90 days to do its work.

NOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?

The CNMI risks nothing by allowing a short period of time to protect our resource, its value, and our environment. Take a little time to do the job right. We should not negotiate with anyone when we don't know the actual value of what we have. The developer should not be allowed to set the price. Our current and future economic conditions demand that we not even allow for the possibility we are selling our only resource at less than its maximum value. To do so would be irresponsible. We feel that is why HB 14-204 passed UNANIMOUSLY in the House.

We have nothing to lose - but 90 days - by educating ourselves about this tremendously valuable resource. Such a delay will not deter any legitimate permit requester. In all likelihood, it will strengthen our negotiation hand and lead to competitive offers. We need competitive offers and we need qualified offers.

We look to you as more than elected officials with fiduciary responsibility. We look to you as fellow Chamorros and Refalawasch who share our love of the land and of our Island heritage. You are the STEWARDS of the land. For the sake of your people, take this important step to PROTECT OUR LAND from careless and irresponsible exploitation!

We will never have another opportunity like this one.

We will never have another Pagan.

Let's do it right!

Affidavit of Petition Circulator: Circulator______________________, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he or she is a CNMI citizen and that, to the best of his or her knowledge, all persons who have signed the foregoing petition are former or current Northern Islands residents, their children and relatives, and other affected citizens of the CNMI.

Signature and Address of Petition Circulator:________________________________

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