SAIPAN — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed designating nearly 60,000 acres across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam as critical habitat for 22 endangered and threatened species, a move that could affect how federally funded and federally permitted projects are reviewed across both jurisdictions.
The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on March 24, covers approximately 59,886 acres across nine animal species and 13 plant species found on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Aguiguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Sarigan, Asunción and Guam, including Cocos Island.
The animals covered by the proposal include the Pacific sheath-tailed bat, Slevin’s skink, four species of tree snails, the Mariana eight-spot butterfly, the Mariana wandering butterfly and the Rota blue damselfly. The 13 plant species include fadang, also known as Cycas micronesica, three epiphytic orchids and several forest and savanna plants, some with no common name.
All 22 species were listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act in October 2015. The critical habitat designation was required under federal law at the time of listing but was never completed, prompting a 2021 lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity. A court-approved settlement agreement required the agency to submit the proposed designation by June 2025.
In the CNMI, the proposed critical habitat areas include Mt. Tapochau, American Memorial Park and I’Naftan on Saipan; Kastiyu on Tinian; multiple areas across Rota including Mochong, Sabana, Talakhaya and southern Rota; Aguiguan; and the northern islands of Alamagan, Pagan, Sarigan and Asunción. On Guam, 27 separate areas are proposed, stretching from Ritidian in the north to Cetti Bay and Sella Bay in the south.
Military lands with approved Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans are exempt from the designation under federal law. The proposed rule identifies more than 18,500 acres across Joint Region Marianas installations, including Andersen Air Force Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Naval Base Guam and a site on Tinian, as excluded from the designation.
Under the Endangered Species Act, critical habitat designation does not restrict land ownership or bar private landowners from using their property. However, any project that involves a federal agency, federal funding or a federal permit in a designated area requires the agency to consult with Fish and Wildlife to ensure the action does not result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.
The agency is accepting public comments through June 22, 2026. Comments may be submitted online at regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS-R1-ES-2024-0194. Supporting materials, including an economic analysis of the proposed designation, are available at fws.gov/project/critical-habitat-mariana-islands. Requests for a public hearing must be submitted in writing by May 8, 2026.
Federal Government Proposes Critical Habitat Designation for 22 Endangered Species Across CNMI and Guam
SAIPAN — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed designating nearly 60,000 acres across the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam as critical habitat for 22 endangered and threatened species, a move that could affect how federally funded and federally permitted projects are reviewed across both jurisdictions.
The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on March 24, covers approximately 59,886 acres across nine animal species and 13 plant species found on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Aguiguan, Alamagan, Pagan, Sarigan, Asunción and Guam, including Cocos Island.
The animals covered by the proposal include the Pacific sheath-tailed bat, Slevin’s skink, four species of tree snails, the Mariana eight-spot butterfly, the Mariana wandering butterfly and the Rota blue damselfly. The 13 plant species include fadang, also known as Cycas micronesica, three epiphytic orchids and several forest and savanna plants, some with no common name.
All 22 species were listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act in October 2015. The critical habitat designation was required under federal law at the time of listing but was never completed, prompting a 2021 lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity. A court-approved settlement agreement required the agency to submit the proposed designation by June 2025.
In the CNMI, the proposed critical habitat areas include Mt. Tapochau, American Memorial Park and I’Naftan on Saipan; Kastiyu on Tinian; multiple areas across Rota including Mochong, Sabana, Talakhaya and southern Rota; Aguiguan; and the northern islands of Alamagan, Pagan, Sarigan and Asunción. On Guam, 27 separate areas are proposed, stretching from Ritidian in the north to Cetti Bay and Sella Bay in the south.
Military lands with approved Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans are exempt from the designation under federal law. The proposed rule identifies more than 18,500 acres across Joint Region Marianas installations, including Andersen Air Force Base, Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz, Naval Base Guam and a site on Tinian, as excluded from the designation.
Under the Endangered Species Act, critical habitat designation does not restrict land ownership or bar private landowners from using their property. However, any project that involves a federal agency, federal funding or a federal permit in a designated area requires the agency to consult with Fish and Wildlife to ensure the action does not result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.
The agency is accepting public comments through June 22, 2026. Comments may be submitted online at regulations.gov by searching for docket number FWS-R1-ES-2024-0194. Supporting materials, including an economic analysis of the proposed designation, are available at fws.gov/project/critical-habitat-mariana-islands. Requests for a public hearing must be submitted in writing by May 8, 2026.