Washington, D.C. – Guam Del. James C. Moylan and CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds are calling on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to give island residents more time to respond to a federal notice on potential deep sea mining between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
In a November 21 letter to Acting BOEM Director Matthew Giacona, the delegates urged the agency to use its discretion to extend the comment period for the Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands – Request for Information and Interest by an additional 120 days. They said BOEM’s decision to allow only 30 days for comments, information, and indications of interest risks undermining the ability of Guam and CNMI communities to provide accurate and comprehensive feedback.
The lawmakers noted that the RFI describes the area’s southern boundary as “approximately equal distance between the islands of Guam and Rota,” meaning any commercial exploration or exploitation of seabed minerals could have “sweeping interterritorial effects.” The letter warns that current deep-sea mining technologies pose “tremendous risks” to fisheries and marine ecosystems, potentially endangering the interconnected economies of Guam and the CNMI.
Moylan and King-Hinds said BOEM must give full consideration to input from citizens, fishers, scientists, businesses, and local officials so that any decision on offshore minerals is made with a true understanding of the impact on those who call the Marianas home.
The delegates also asked BOEM to work with the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a coordination and consultation agreement with Guam and the CNMI under section 19 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. They argued that such an agreement would ensure that any potential exploration or exploitation between the islands includes recommendations from officials who know the waters and can help minimize adverse effects on local residents.
According to the letter, coordination and consultation agreements with the governments of the Marianas would be a “natural extension” of the Trump Administration’s rejection of unilateral federal action and would reflect a genuine commitment to giving territorial voices meaningful weight in federal decision-making.
The letter was copied to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.
Guam and CNMI delegates seek 120-day extension on deep sea mining comment period
Washington, D.C. – Guam Del. James C. Moylan and CNMI Del. Kimberlyn King-Hinds are calling on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to give island residents more time to respond to a federal notice on potential deep sea mining between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
In a November 21 letter to Acting BOEM Director Matthew Giacona, the delegates urged the agency to use its discretion to extend the comment period for the Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands – Request for Information and Interest by an additional 120 days. They said BOEM’s decision to allow only 30 days for comments, information, and indications of interest risks undermining the ability of Guam and CNMI communities to provide accurate and comprehensive feedback.
The lawmakers noted that the RFI describes the area’s southern boundary as “approximately equal distance between the islands of Guam and Rota,” meaning any commercial exploration or exploitation of seabed minerals could have “sweeping interterritorial effects.” The letter warns that current deep-sea mining technologies pose “tremendous risks” to fisheries and marine ecosystems, potentially endangering the interconnected economies of Guam and the CNMI.
Moylan and King-Hinds said BOEM must give full consideration to input from citizens, fishers, scientists, businesses, and local officials so that any decision on offshore minerals is made with a true understanding of the impact on those who call the Marianas home.
The delegates also asked BOEM to work with the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a coordination and consultation agreement with Guam and the CNMI under section 19 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. They argued that such an agreement would ensure that any potential exploration or exploitation between the islands includes recommendations from officials who know the waters and can help minimize adverse effects on local residents.
According to the letter, coordination and consultation agreements with the governments of the Marianas would be a “natural extension” of the Trump Administration’s rejection of unilateral federal action and would reflect a genuine commitment to giving territorial voices meaningful weight in federal decision-making.
The letter was copied to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.