HAGATNA (GUAM DAILY POST) — Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands officials are calling on residents to submit comments to federal regulators about deep seabed mining proposals that could bring mineral extraction to waters between the two island communities.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and CNMI Gov. David Apatang issued a joint appeal Thursday urging the public to make their voices heard before a Dec. 12 deadline for input on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s request for information, or RFI, on offshore commercial leasing in the CNMI.
“Little scientific research has been conducted on the ocean’s depths, including the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining,” Leon Guerrero said in a statement. “There must be more scientific research to understand the true impacts of this form of mineral extraction. We must come together and make our voices heard to ensure any decisions regarding the future of the waters of Guam and the CNMI are made with our best interests in mind.”
The target area extends to waters between Rota and Guam, positioned east of the Marianas Trench National Marine Monument. BOEM issued the request Nov. 12 as the first step in a process that could lead to mineral collection leases on the outer continental shelf.
Both governments are encouraging community leaders, environmental organisations, and anyone interested in protecting island waters to submit comments expressing concerns about potential environmental, ecological, and economic impacts.
Carlotta Leon Guerrero, the governor’s special advisor on military and regional affairs, said officials are treating the short timeline seriously even as they seek more time.
“We’re sending out news releases, and our news release will say, ‘Here’s the address you can write to. Here’s the portal you can enter your comments in,” she said in an interview with The Guam Daily Post on Thursday.
The 30-day comment window mirrors the initial timeline American Samoa faced earlier this year when BOEM first proposed deep seabed mining in territorial waters. Community pressure in American Samoa forced an extension to Aug. 15, ultimately drawing more than 31,000 public comments, with roughly 27,000 opposing the mining plans.
While Guam and the CNMI are jointly requesting a 120-day extension, officials stress the importance of submitting comments before the current deadline in case the request is denied.
“We’re talking right now. … The (CNMI) governor has advised me to prep the government of Guam,” Leon Guerrero said, noting multiple agencies are already reviewing the proposal.
The public can submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at 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.
Leon Guerrero said government agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Aquatic Wildlife, Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Guam Coastal Management Programme, and the Community Defense Liaison Office, are researching the RFI.
The request for information covers roughly 35.5 million acres in waters between 3,700 and 25,100 feet deep. The area is considered prospective for ferromanganese crusts and nodules containing critical minerals the Trump administration says are essential for defense systems, infrastructure, and technology.
The administration issued executive orders earlier this year declaring a national energy emergency and directing federal agencies to expedite critical mineral development on the outer continental shelf.
Leon Guerrero said officials will meet with BOEM next week to learn more about the process.
“We’re in the information-gathering phase right now,” she said.
Melvin Won Pat-Borja, executive director of the Commission on Decolonisation, said the issue affects all Pacific Island communities.
“This is something that all Pacific islands are faced with now, because it’s a rapidly growing and very lucrative industry,” Won Pat-Borja told the Post. “So, there’s going to be a lot of attention on it. There’s going to be a lot of investment in it. The stakes are high.”
He emphasised the value of collective action, noting that Pacific nations have taken different positions on deep seabed mining but share concerns about protecting ocean resources.
“Our official stance is that we don’t think that there’s enough information available for any of us to make an informed decision,” Won Pat-Borja said.
The public will be notified if BOEM grants an extension to the comment period. Until then, officials are encouraging residents to submit input before 12 December….PACNEWS