Governor David M. Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Dennis C. Mendiola are expanding community outreach efforts on a federal proposal that could impact the Commonwealth’s offshore resources.
The administration has scheduled a town hall meeting on Rota for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Department of Commerce Conference Room. The session will focus on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Request for Information and Interest regarding potential leasing of critical minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore the CNMI.
The RFI represents the initial step in a federal process that would involve mineral extraction activities in waters surrounding the Northern Marianas. Governor Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Mendiola are encouraging residents across all islands to participate in the comment process to ensure CNMI interests are represented in any future federal decisions.
The public comment deadline has been extended to January 12, 2026. Community members can submit feedback through the federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov by searching for BOEM-2025-0351, or by mail to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Pacific Region, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo (CM 102), Camarillo, California 93010.
Governor, Lt. Governor Host Rota Town Hall on Federal Seabed Mineral Leasing
Governor David M. Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Dennis C. Mendiola are expanding community outreach efforts on a federal proposal that could impact the Commonwealth’s offshore resources.
The administration has scheduled a town hall meeting on Rota for Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Department of Commerce Conference Room. The session will focus on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Request for Information and Interest regarding potential leasing of critical minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore the CNMI.
The RFI represents the initial step in a federal process that would involve mineral extraction activities in waters surrounding the Northern Marianas. Governor Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Mendiola are encouraging residents across all islands to participate in the comment process to ensure CNMI interests are represented in any future federal decisions.
The public comment deadline has been extended to January 12, 2026. Community members can submit feedback through the federal eRulemaking portal at www.regulations.gov by searching for BOEM-2025-0351, or by mail to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Pacific Region, Office of Strategic Resources, 760 Paseo Camarillo (CM 102), Camarillo, California 93010.