TITLE 10: LOCAL LAWS
§ 1823
DIVISION 1: FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT (ROTA)
§ 1823. Pathway and Access Improvements; Mayor of Rota. (a) Authority. Subject to compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations, the Mayor of Rota is hereby authorized to plan, design, construct, improve, and maintain pedestrian pathways and related improvements within the Wedding Cake Mountain Wildlife Conservation Area, including, but not limited to: (1) A pedestrian pathway, steps, railings, viewing platforms, and similar improvements within the Wedding Cake Mountain area; and (2) Safe pedestrian access and pathway improvements to and from the Grotto and any designated viewing or staging areas associated with the Wedding Cake Mountain Wildlife Conservation Area. (b) Conservation Standards. All pathways and improvements authorized under this section shall: (1) Be planned, designed, and implemented in consultation with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife, and the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, and any other relevant agencies; (2) Be sited and constructed to minimize disturbance to wildlife, plant life, soils, cultural resources, and the scenic coastal environment; (3) Be consistent with any applicable management plans or regulations adopted for the Wedding Cake Mountain Wildlife Conservation Area; and (4) Incorporate, to the greatest extent practicable, erosion control, safety, and resource-protection measures. (c) Federal Grants and Other Assistance. The Mayor of Rota is hereby authorized to: (1) Apply for, receive, and expend federal grants, cooperative agreements, and other external funding for the planning, environmental review, design, construction, and maintenance of the pathways and improvements authorized in this section; (2) Enter into agreements or memoranda of understanding with Commonwealth, federal, or private entities as may be necessary to implement such projects; and (3) Provide or coordinate any required local match or in-kind contributions, subject to applicable procurement and fiscal laws. (d) Pre-Qualification Activities. The Mayor of Rota shall be fully authorized to undertake all planning, feasibility studies, environmental compliance activities, engineering, and other preparatory actions necessary for the project to qualify or pre-qualify for federal grants, cooperative agreements, or other assistance; provided that all such activities shall be conducted in compliance with applicable Commonwealth and federal laws and regulations. (e) Relation to Existing Prohibitions. Nothing in this section shall be construed to:
§ 1823
TITLE 10: LOCAL LAWS
DIVISION 1: FIRST SENATORIAL DISTRICT (ROTA)
(1) Repeal or weaken the prohibitions outlined in 10 CMC § 1821, except to the limited extent necessary to carry out the construction and maintenance of pathways and improvements expressly authorized herein in a manner consistent with conservation purposes; or (2) Exempt any person or agency from compliance with applicable Commonwealth or federal environmental, cultural, or historic preservation requirements. (f) Rules and Regulations. The Mayor of Rota, in consultation with the Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the Division of Fish and Wildlife, may promulgate rules and regulations, consistent with this Article, to implement the authority granted under this section. Source: RLL 24-09, § 2 (Mar. 12, 2026).