Governor Lou Leon Guerrero is speaking out for the first time in an interview about her concerns over the federal deep sea mining proposal, as two important events are being held tomorrow for the community to voice their concerns ahead of a looming deadline just days away. 

In her first interview directly addressing a fast-moving proposal for deep sea mining in the Marianas, the island's chief executive speaks out on the lacking federal engagement. "I am pleading, we are as leaders, to respect our rights to our waters here and respect our livelihoods here and not to do anything until there are very engaging discussions about the impact and science behind it," she said.

This as two important events will be held Hagatna on Wednesday to help the community to weigh in on the federal proposal.  First, the Guam Legislature will hold a public hearing for a resolution at 8:30am, urging the U.S. Government to halt their plans. Then, from 4 to 8pm, Governor Leon Guerrero and Lieutenant Governor Josh Tenorio will host a workshop to help residents draft comments before the January 12 deadline.

"We, as Pacific leaders, have united to make a very strong statement to BOEM that we do not approve this and that we strongly, strongly request a stay and a pause until more evidence and scientific data is garnered," she added.

As reported, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has proposed opening more than 35 million acres of federal waters for mineral extraction. This area includes waters near Guam and Rota. 

Last month, Leon Guerrero and CNMI governor David Apatang requested a 120-day extension. But the federal government only granted 30 days, which the governor says is not enough. 

"I think the federal [government] should have given us the full 120 days because this is a very serious, serious, serious issue. It will impact our seabeds. It will impact our marine ecosystem," said Leon Guerrero. "It will impact our food chain. It will economy, our livelihood, not just Guam and CNMI, but throughout the Pacific region here."

The governor said that she only learned about the proposal after it was made public, when the comment period was already underway. She added, "I have spoken to [U.S. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs at the Department of the Interior] William Hague who oversees Guam and I expressed our deepest, deepest and most serious concerns about this deep sea mining, and how we were not even involved in any of the discussions."

The governor also spoke about Guam’s limited control over waters beyond three miles offshore.  She says the U.S. Government can ‘come over and take over’ its waters. 

"I think they’re set on pushing this forward. I really do. I mean, it’s moving really fast," Leon Guerrero said. "Look at American Samoa. They’re already talking about leasing the property, and they already have corporate people that are interested in leasing the properties."

As for what a fair arrangement would look like, she noted, "I would like to have them at the table, our discussions and our interests at the table. And that we are part of the decision."

If the mining proposal moves ahead and Guam is burdened with the impacts, Leon Guerrero says the territory should demand a significant share of any profits. "One percent is nothing in an industry that could probably yield billions of dollars. So that has to also be seriously discussed," she said.

In the meantime, her workshop on Wednesday will help residents draft comments and will include several environmental experts who will provide insight on deep-sea mining and its impact.  Community members are encouraged to attend and submit their comments before the January 12 deadline.

Speakers will include:

- Julian Aguon J.D. - Principal Attorney, Blue Ocean Law
- Theresa “Isa” Arriola Mook, Ph.D. - Director of Operations, Blue Ocean Law
- Jeffrey C. Drazen, Ph.D. - Deep Sea Ecologist, University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Sean D.L.G Macduff Ph.D. - Superintendent, Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

The event will be facilitated by The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, and Guam Green Growth.  To register to attend the event, visit https://tinyurl.com/DSMGUAM.