SAIPAN — The Department of Public Lands (DPL) is reminding eligible land claimants that they can opt for a land exchange—receiving public land now instead of waiting for delayed cash compensation tied to limited General Fund appropriations.
DPL’s Land Claims Division said approved claimants may qualify to “switch to a land exchange,” with parcels matched to the fair market value of the original property at the time it was acquired by the government. The primary exchange area is in Obyan, Saipan, where 612,286 square meters (61.2 hectares) are available; Obyan exchanges are reserved for Saipan residents. Those seeking exchanges elsewhere should coordinate with DPL’s Planning Division, and any exchanges on Rota and Tinian depend on available public land.
Land Claims Director Terry Guerrero noted that claimants with offers pending but unpaid are encouraged to contact the Land Compensation Office to see if exchange is a better option. Claimants whose property’s acquisition value exceeded $5,000 may be eligible; exchanged land can be retained or sold by the claimant. For information, DPL lists (670) 234-3751 ext. 128 and in-person visits at the DPL Office, 2nd Floor, Joeten Building, Dandan, with district offices on Rota and Tinian.
