A new federal proposal to explore deep-sea mining in waters near the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and close to Guam is drawing sharp concern from island leaders and environmental experts.  The governors of Guam and the CNMI are jointly requesting more time to study the potential impacts, saying the federal review is moving too quickly for such a high-stakes issue.

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is considering opening more than 35 million acres of federal waters near the Northern Mariana Islands to potential deep-sea mining. The agency says it is only in the information-gathering stage, no mining leases yet, but the proposal has already stirred waves across the region.

Adelup’s chief advisor on military and regional affairs Carlotta Leon Guerrero told KUAM News, "The [Request for Information] is not issued for Guam. The RFI is issued for the CNMI, but when you look at the map of where it ends, it ends right where it comes to Guam. We know because we’re culturally and environmentally connected to the CNMI, whatever you do in their waters is going to affect us and what happens in our waters is going to affect them."

Governor Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam and Governor David Apatang of the CNMI have issued a joint request to BOEM. The two leaders say the current 30-day public comment period is far too short for a proposal of this scale.

They’re asking for a 120-day extension, giving scientists, agencies, and island communities enough time to analyze potential impacts and provide meaningful feedback.

"The concerns they have is they don’t feel enough scientific information is available to allay their concerns at this point about the environmental damage that this hunt for critical minerals through deep sea exploration in the Marianas," emphasized Carlotta Leon Guerrero.

Environmental experts, meanwhile, warn that mining thousands of feet below the surface could potentially damage fragile ecosystems and marine life. Biologist Brent Tibbats, with the Department of Agriculture's Division of Acquatic and Wuldlife Resources said, "The habitat there, there is almost nothing known about it. It’s not known what the impacts will be. We know there have been surveys in the general area of Guam in the depths that they would be dredging at. We know there is life down there. We know there are fish and other organisms living down there."

He says the proposal for mineral extraction borders right along the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument - the ocean’s deepest trench.  "We know that in areas along the trench and the Mariana Islands, there are some habitats that have not been seen anywhere else in the world," he detailed. "In the northern islands, there’s a pool of liquid sulfur. The only other pool of liquid sulfur is on Mars. It’s not even on Earth. It’s on another planet in the solar system."

With more questions that answers, the fear is that without careful oversight, deep-sea mining could cause more harm than good.  "It’s also not clear what the impacts will be to the people of the Marianas. It's really not an area where fishing happens, but goods come to Guam and vessels come through those areas. Would there be impacts on shipping channels or military activity?" said Tibbats.

For now, BOEM has not granted an extension and the comment period closes December 12. Island leaders are urging the public to speak up before then.

Carlotta Leon Guerrero said, "Deep sea mining is the big unknown. If you’re concerned about that and would like to see the brakes put on for a little bit until we get more science and understanding to be comfortable with it, then please participate."

The public will be notified if an extension is granted. Members of the public may submit their comments through the following methods:

  - By Mail:

    Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

    Pacific Region, Office of Strategic Resources

    760 Paseo Camarillo (CM 102)

    Camarillo, California 93010