Vehicles on Certain Property. (a) No person may operate any vehicle, bicycle, or animal, nor may any person stop, park or leave standing any vehicle, bicycle or animal, whether attended or unattended, upon the driveways or paths or any of the grounds of any public school, Commonwealth government building or institution, or any educational institution, except with the permission of, and upon and subject to such conditions or regulations as may be imposed by the governing board or officer of the public school, Commonwealth government building or institution, or educational institution. (b) It is unlawful for any motor vehicle to enter or go upon any beach area or historic site or tourist site within the Commonwealth. “Beach area” means those areas of unconsolidated deposits along the shore with their seaward boundary being at the low water mark or reef flat platform level extending in a landward direction not less than 150 feet. “Historic sites or tourist sites” means the boundaries of any area or site so designated by the Marianas Visitors Authority. (c) Every governing board or officer referred to in this section shall erect or place appropriate signs giving notice of any special conditions or regulations that may be imposed under this section. Every such board or officer shall also prepare and keep available at the principal administrative office of the board or office, for examination by all interested persons, a written statement of any and all special conditions and regulations adopted pursuant to this section. (d) When any such governing board or officer referred to in this section permits public traffic upon the driveways, paths or grounds under their control then, in the absence of any special conditions or regulations applicable to that traffic, all the provisions of this title relating to traffic upon highways shall apply to traffic upon those driveways, paths or grounds. (e) This section does not apply to vehicles with official authorization to maintain such properties. (f) It is unlawful to launch boats and other watercraft by means of a motor vehicle, boat trailer or any similar device into the ocean from any beach site other than a launch pad specifically designed for such a use; violation of which shall be punished by a fine of $200 and/or one month in jail. Source: PL 3-61, § 1 (§ 567); amended by PL 11-61, §§ 2 (amends subsection (b)) and 3 (adds new subsection (f)); PL 11-15, § 24 (amends subsection (b)). Commission Comment: With respect to the references to the “Marianas Visitors Authority,” see Executive Order 94-3 (effective August 23, 1994), reorganizing the executive branch, changing agency names and official titles, and effecting other changes, set forth in the Commission comment to 1 CMC § 2001.
PL 11-61 took effect February 12, 1999. PL 11-61 contained findings as follows: Section 1. Findings. The Legislature finds that due to the increased use of the beaches of the Commonwealth, the risks of environmental degradation which accompany such use have become much greater. Particularly damaging to the beaches is the constant and continued traffic by motor vehicles to launch watercraft and other beach accessories. The tire ruts at the shoreline contribute substantially to erosion, endangering not just the beach but the properties adjacent to it. This is in addition to any other associated sources of pollution, such as improperly disposed of refuse, as well as fuel and oil spills, as well as carbon residue from exhaust; all of which can be deadly to life in the inter-tidal zone. PL 11-15, § 24 changed “Marianas Visitors Bureau” in subsection (b) of this section to “Marianas Visitors Authority”. PL 11-15 took effect on June 17, 1998.