Governor Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Mendiola Urge Public Input on Federal Seabed Mineral Leasing RFI

Saipan, CNMI - Governor David M. Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Dennis C. Mendiola encourage the public to participate in the federal comment process for a Request for Information and Interest (RFI) issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), U.S. Department of the Interior. The RFI is an initial step that could inform a potential future lease sale for critical minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore the CNMI, with the public comment deadline extended to January 12, 2026.

To promote transparency and public engagement, the Office of the Governor will host a Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., at the Governor Pedro P. Tenorio MultiPurpose Center in Susupe, to provide information and receive community input regarding the RFI.

Members of the public may submit comments through the Federal Rulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov by searching BOEM-2025-0351, or by mail to:

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

Pacific Region, Office of Strategic Resources

760 Paseo Camarillo (CM 102)

Camarillo, California 93010

Governor Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Mendiola encourage broad public participation to ensure that the voices of the CNMI community are heard and considered in any future federal actions affecting Commonwealth waters.