SAIPAN — The Friends of the Mariana Trench are criticizing the federal government’s handling of public input on a proposal to open waters off the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to potential deep-sea mining, calling the current comment schedule “rushed” and “disrespectful” to island communities.
The environmental group said federal officials extended the public comment period on a Request for Information for commercial leasing of outer continental shelf minerals offshore the CNMI by only 30 days, despite requests from governors, congressional delegates, community leaders and organizations in Guam and the Northern Marianas for a 120-day extension. The timeline began during the federal government shutdown and runs through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, which the group says makes meaningful participation “nearly impossible.”
“Deep-sea mining could have irreversible impacts on our ocean and our way of life,” said board member Angelo Villagomez, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. “Our communities asked for 120 days because these decisions are complex and consequential. Instead, we were given a timeline that ignored our voices and our religious holidays.”
Board Chair Sheila Babuata, an Environment and Democracy Fellow with Right to Democracy, said holding a key public process over the Christmas season “disregards the faith and traditions of the majority of our people” and places an unfair burden on residents who want to participate.
“We all have a collective responsibility to be stewards of creation,” added board member Tina Sablan, who said decisions about the ocean should reflect that responsibility and show respect for the people who live in the islands.
Despite their objections, Friends of the Mariana Trench is urging residents in Guam and the CNMI to learn more about the proposal and take part in the process as much as they can. The organization has released a deep-sea mining resource document and launched separate petitions for individuals and organizations to sign.
Friends of the Mariana Trench say deep-sea mining comment period disrespects Marianas communities
SAIPAN — The Friends of the Mariana Trench are criticizing the federal government’s handling of public input on a proposal to open waters off the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to potential deep-sea mining, calling the current comment schedule “rushed” and “disrespectful” to island communities.
The environmental group said federal officials extended the public comment period on a Request for Information for commercial leasing of outer continental shelf minerals offshore the CNMI by only 30 days, despite requests from governors, congressional delegates, community leaders and organizations in Guam and the Northern Marianas for a 120-day extension. The timeline began during the federal government shutdown and runs through Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s, which the group says makes meaningful participation “nearly impossible.”
“Deep-sea mining could have irreversible impacts on our ocean and our way of life,” said board member Angelo Villagomez, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress. “Our communities asked for 120 days because these decisions are complex and consequential. Instead, we were given a timeline that ignored our voices and our religious holidays.”
Board Chair Sheila Babuata, an Environment and Democracy Fellow with Right to Democracy, said holding a key public process over the Christmas season “disregards the faith and traditions of the majority of our people” and places an unfair burden on residents who want to participate.
“We all have a collective responsibility to be stewards of creation,” added board member Tina Sablan, who said decisions about the ocean should reflect that responsibility and show respect for the people who live in the islands.
Despite their objections, Friends of the Mariana Trench is urging residents in Guam and the CNMI to learn more about the proposal and take part in the process as much as they can. The organization has released a deep-sea mining resource document and launched separate petitions for individuals and organizations to sign.