Marianas RC&D in the News

Saipan Tribune, Thursday, August 24, 2006

Support ocean observatory for NMI

MARGINS, an organization concerned with plate tectonics, geology, and volcanoes, is asking for public comments on the proposal to build a Global Ocean Observatory in one of two places: Costa Rica or the Marianas.

If the CNMI can convince this organization to build their observatory in the Marianas, it would help the local economy as well as build the international prestige of the islands.

"We really want this project to come here, so could you please take the time to add a comment to the MARGINS online Discussion Board," said Angelo Villagomez of the Resource Conservation and Development Council. "Please tell them why this project would be better in the Marianas versus Costa Rica. Please tell them that they can depend on local support, etc. If you have the scientific background to add to the discussion on why the Marianas are a better choice scientifically, please do so."

The website is at http://www.margins.wustl.edu/OrionComments.html

Click on the link in the third paragraph and use the username "orionforum" and password "observatory." That will pull up a new web browser. The online discussion forum is about halfway down. At the bottom of the page are some articles discussing the pros and cons of doing this project in the Marianas or in Costa Rica.

"The articles will be helpful for those who are scientifically inclined, but for the rest of us (myself included), a show of local support should suffice," Villagomez added.

If you have any questions, contact Ken Kramer at RC&D 236-0893.