NRDC: Marianas voices must be heard on deep-sea mining

Representatives of the Natural Resources Defense Council say decisions over potential deep-sea mining around the Marianas should not race ahead without meaningful participation from the people who live here.

NRDC senior attorney Erik Van de Stouwe and senior manager for ocean energy Valerie Cleland spoke with Marianas Press last Sept. 25 at Cha Cafe & Bistro in Garapan during a visit to Saipan following meetings in Guam.

Cleland said their trip was primarily about listening to residents and learning about their relationship with the ocean and their concerns about mining.

“We are here mostly to listen and learn from the people of the Marianas Islands about their connection to the ocean, how they feel about deep-sea mining,” Cleland said.

Van de Stouwe said NRDC wanted its work on the issue to reflect local perspectives rather than simply approach the Marianas from Washington, D.C.

“We want to make sure that the perspective, that the voices we're elevating are the voices of the people in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” he said.

The two said they met with local nonprofit organizations, elected officials, and other community members during their visit. Van de Stouwe said NRDC did not come to the CNMI to tell residents what to think about deep-sea mining.

“We came here to learn,” he said.

Cleland said one recurring concern they heard was that residents believe the federal process is moving too quickly and without enough opportunity for the community to weigh in.

She said concerns went beyond fishing and included possible effects on marine mammals and other sea life, traditional navigation and cultural practices, as well as broader questions about who gets to decide what happens in waters surrounding the islands.

Van de Stouwe said the debate also cannot be separated from the Marianas' broader history with the federal government.

“It's about meaningful participation for the people of the Marianas. It's about democracy, and it's also about the rule of law,” he said.

During the interview, Marianas Press also asked Cleland about speculation linking the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument with today's push for deep-sea mining.

Cleland subsequently contacted Marianas Press by email to clarify her response.

“The Marianas Trench monument was created by President George Bush in 2009 and is an entirely separate effort from this administration's deep sea mining effort,” Cleland wrote. “I think I said I wasn't sure if they were related, but I want to be clear that I do not think they are related.”

Economic questions also figured prominently in the discussion.

Cleland said CNMI residents deserve answers about whether deep-sea mining would actually benefit the islands economically and whether possible benefits would outweigh potential harm to fisheries and the marine environment.

“I think it is a good question to be asking, you know, would people benefit and when we're talking about economics, you know, I think one of the pieces we have to think about is also not only what could be the economic benefit, but also what could be the economic detriment if there were to be impacts to, you know, fisheries or the marine environment,” she said.

Van de Stouwe said he heard concerns about where minerals would be processed, who would enforce environmental regulations, whether mining companies would be profitable and how any economic benefits would be shared.

“I do think the federal government owes an explanation to the people of the Marianas about like, what are we doing? Like what minerals are being targeted? What, if anything, is on the table for the people of the Marianas? And what environmental consequences are also possible?” he said.

The discussion also turned to the U.S. push for critical minerals and competition with China.

Cleland said the critical-minerals issue is legitimate but noted that significant questions remain about processing and integrating seabed minerals into U.S. supply chains.

Van de Stouwe pointed out that commercial-scale recovery of minerals from the deep seafloor has yet to take place and said major scientific and regulatory questions remain.

“One of my concerns, however, is by creating an arms race in an area where we don't understand the environmental consequences, we're all going to be left worse off,” he said.

Van de Stouwe said NRDC's role is ultimately secondary to that of the people who would be most directly affected.

“Ultimately, it's the people of the Marianas who need to make the decision about what happens, what happens in their waters,” he said.

Cleland said NRDC hopes to return after the organization's abbreviated visit to Saipan.

Van de Stouwe, meanwhile, stopped short of promising that their advocacy would change federal policy.

“I don't want to promise people here anything from the federal government, because I think there's a real sense of, you know, the government needs to do more to earn the people's trust here,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gov. David M. Apatang last Sept. 25 responded to more than 20 letters from residents and organizations expressing concerns about the federal government's consideration of deep seabed mining offshore the CNMI.

On requests to halt the proposed leasing notice and lease sale, Apatang said litigation involving the National Marine Fisheries Service's Letter of Concurrence is pending before the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii. The governor believes that case should be allowed to proceed before he determines whether additional action with the U.S. Department of the Interior is warranted.

Apatang also supports public outreach on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota and said he will ask the Marine Minerals Administration to consider conducting outreach in those communities.

The governor was also asked to meet with nongovernmental organizations and incorporate their concerns into his comments, which are due Oct. 19. His office said the more than 65,000 comments submitted in response to the November 2025 Request for Information and Interest, together with subsequent comments, provide sufficient information for the CNMI to articulate its concerns and position.

“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,” Apatang said.