By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
OFFICERS and members of the Uraali Refaluwasch Association met with Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds on Tuesday to reiterate their stance on deep-sea mining in the waters surrounding the CNMI.
Led by senior advisor and cultural practitioner Melvin L.O. Faisao, the Refaluwasch group met with the delegate nearly two weeks after officials from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management presented Gov. David M. Apatang and other CNMI officials with the federal government’s plan to lease the Outer Continental Shelf around the Marianas for deep-sea mining.
In the 1 p.m. Tuesday meeting at King-Hinds’ office in Susupe, the discussion focused on ensuring that the CNMI would not be left out of any future offshore energy or mineral development framework in the waters surrounding the Commonwealth.
Given the CNMI’s geographic proximity to potential offshore exploration areas and the possible environmental, cultural, and economic impacts, the group respectfully raised the concern that the CNMI should not be excluded from “benefit-sharing mechanisms under federal policy.”
Faisao and his fellow Uraali members stressed the importance of exploring pathways within the Covenant relationship between the CNMI and the U.S., particularly Article VII, Section 702, “to help ensure that the Commonwealth and its people receive fair consideration and equitable participation in the benefits of emerging Blue Economy initiatives, should offshore development proceed under federal authority.”
They also clarified to the delegate that their intent was not to advocate for offshore drilling itself, but rather to ensure that if such activities are allowed, “the CNMI is not left without consultation, protections, or potential economic participation comparable to other U.S. jurisdictions.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
