Mark Rabago
RNZ Pacific CNMI correspondent
Environmental and
community groups from across the US Pacific and Caribbean
territories are urging the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands (CNMI) governor to formally oppose a proposed
federal deep sea mining lease sale near the
Marianas.
Representatives from the Mariana Islands,
American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands have
written to Governor David Apatang, asking his administration
to recommend that the US Department of the Interior halt the
leasing process.
The groups want the federal
government to suspend or terminate the Northern Mariana
Islands Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale,
known as PACM-2, decline to issue a final leasing notice,
and cancel the proposed 16 December lease sale.
They
said Apatang has until 19 October to make recommendations to
the US Secretary of the Interior under federal
regulations.
The coalition is also calling on the CNMI
administration to hold public outreach on Saipan, Tinian,
and Rota, seek community input, include technical comments
from relevant CNMI agencies, and request additional time for
public participation.
The campaign comes amid growing
debate in the Northern Marianas over deep seabed mining and
the territory’s role in federal decisions affecting waters
surrounding the islands.
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According to the coalition,
more than 65,000 comments opposing the federal proposal were
submitted during an earlier stage of the process, while a
separate petition opposing deep-seabed mining near the
Mariana Trench has collected more than 6000
signatures.
The groups have also launched an online
letter campaign calling on Apatang to formally recommend an
immediate halt to PACM-2 before the October
deadline.
“Consultation and engagement do not equal
consent or approval,” the coalition said in its
letter.
“We deserve to exercise our human right to
free, prior, and informed consent, and a meaningful seat at
the table must include the ability to say no.”
The
coalition raised concerns about potential impacts on
seamounts, hydrothermal vents, abyssal plains, marine
biodiversity, fisheries, and regional food
security.
It said allowing deep-seabed mining without
the consent of the CNMI government and its people would also
raise questions about the Commonwealth’s ability to
influence decisions affecting its waters and
communities.
The letter was signed by representatives
of the Micronesia Climate Change Alliance, Right to
Democracy, and From Luta, For Luta.
The coalition has
requested a meeting with the Apatang administration and
offered to support the government in opposing deep-seabed
mining in the
Marianas.
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