Tinian Government Pushes for Range Closure for MMRP Dollars

Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz has requested assistance from Governor Fitial, as president of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Military Integration Management Committee to petition the Navy to close Tinian's Mortar Range in hopes of obtaining MMRP dollars for cleanup.

The Mortar Range is covered in a lease that dates back to 1983 which was based on a Covenant signed in 1975. Under the lease agreement, Tinian is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the roadways and mowing of grasslands for the military. Concerns over the cost of the upkeep and maintenance coupled with the fact that the Navy reportedly does not anticipate using the range in the future, have prompted requests for the Navy to initiate closure of the range. Closure of the range would make the site eligible for MMRP funds which would cover the cost of cleanup based upon risk at the site.

Tinian officials hope that MMRP funds would also help to address the fence around the property which has fallen into disrepair in several places. Tinian Government officials are also reportedly concerned over liability issues if an accident were to occur on the range while the risk-based MMRP process moves slowly along.