Governor Apatang Responds to Community Letters on Deep Seabed Mining

Saipan, CNMI — Governor David M. Apatang has received more than twenty letters from residents and organizations expressing deep concern about the federal government’s ongoing consideration of deep seabed mining of critical minerals offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Governor has carefully considered the concerns and requests raised in these communications.

With respect to calls to halt the proposed leasing notice and lease sale, litigation concerning the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Letter of Concurrence is currently before the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. Governor Apatang believes it is appropriate to allow that judicial process to proceed before determining whether further action with the U.S. Department of the Interior is warranted.

The Governor also supports calls for public outreach in Saipan, Tinian, and Rota and will ask the Marine Minerals Administration (MMA), the federal agency responsible for the regulatory and leasing process, to consider conducting outreach in those communities. The people of the CNMI deserve an opportunity to understand and participate in a matter that may have significant implications for our marine environment and the resources upon which our islands depend.

The Governor was also asked to meet with nongovernmental organizations and incorporate their concerns into his comments, due October 19, 2026. While he appreciates the opportunity for dialogue, Governor Apatang believes the extensive public record, including more than 65,000 comments submitted in response to the November 2025 Request for Information and Interest, along with subsequent comments, provides a sufficient foundation for the CNMI to articulate its concerns and position.

He appreciates the thought, time, and conviction reflected in these letters and the broader public discussion surrounding an issue of importance to the future of our islands. “Our ocean is fundamental to the life, culture, and future of the Commonwealth. Any decision that may affect it must be approached with care, responsibility, and a clear understanding that we are stewards of these resources not only for our generation, but for those who will come after us,” said Governor Apatang.