Legislature holds public hearing on proposed 40-year Maranas Resort lease as residents press for more review

A joint legislative committee on Saipan held a public hearing on a proposed 40-year lease, with a possible 15-year extension, for the Maranas Resort and Spa, drawing both support from business representatives and calls from residents for more community review and environmental analysis.

The committee that convened in the House of the Honorable Jesus B. Mofna Memorial Building heard three public commentators and received an opening statement from Department of Public Lands officials. No final action on the lease was taken during the session.

The hearing matters because the lease would affect more than five hectares of public land and, if approved, could reshape tourism, land use and local control for decades. “This 40 year lease with a potential of an extension of 15 years for over 5 hectares of public land is a big deal for us because we don't have a lot of land here in the Mariana Islands,” said Sheila Jack Babauta, a Precinct 4 resident, during public comment. Babauta urged the…