SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang and Guam Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero sent a joint letter to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Acting Director Matthew Giacona requesting an in-person BOEM outreach visit to both the CNMI and Guam regarding docket BOEM-2025-0351.
In the letter, the governors said in-person engagement is essential ahead of the current public comment deadline they cited as Jan. 12, 2026.
They reiterated their request for a 120-day extension of the public comment period, noting the request was previously transmitted to BOEM on Nov. 15, 2025, and said the timeframe remains insufficient for governments, communities, and regional stakeholders to provide meaningful feedback.
The governors also asked BOEM to send an official representative to both islands for public presentations and to participate in village- and community-level forums before the deadline, saying communities need clear, accessible information on the intent, scope, and potential impacts of the RFI.
The letter also referenced BOEM’s stated intent to engage Indigenous Peoples of the CNMI, including Chamorro and Carolinian (Refaluwasch) people, and said an in-person visit would support transparency and federal-territorial consultation.
The letter was signed by Apatang and Leon Guerrero and copied to CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Guam Delegate James Moylan, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and others.
Apatang, Guam Gov. Leon Guerrero ask BOEM to visit CNMI and Guam for in-person outreach on deep sea mining
SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang and Guam Governor Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero sent a joint letter to Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Acting Director Matthew Giacona requesting an in-person BOEM outreach visit to both the CNMI and Guam regarding docket BOEM-2025-0351.
In the letter, the governors said in-person engagement is essential ahead of the current public comment deadline they cited as Jan. 12, 2026.
They reiterated their request for a 120-day extension of the public comment period, noting the request was previously transmitted to BOEM on Nov. 15, 2025, and said the timeframe remains insufficient for governments, communities, and regional stakeholders to provide meaningful feedback.
The governors also asked BOEM to send an official representative to both islands for public presentations and to participate in village- and community-level forums before the deadline, saying communities need clear, accessible information on the intent, scope, and potential impacts of the RFI.
The letter also referenced BOEM’s stated intent to engage Indigenous Peoples of the CNMI, including Chamorro and Carolinian (Refaluwasch) people, and said an in-person visit would support transparency and federal-territorial consultation.
The letter was signed by Apatang and Leon Guerrero and copied to CNMI Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Guam Delegate James Moylan, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and others.