In an interview on Friday, Hofschneider, R-Saipan, said he was saddened by the “heightened criticism” leveled by some monument proponents against those who oppose it.
“It’s a very divisive issue and there are differences of opinions, but those who are for it should acknowledge that lawmakers, in voting against it, were only speaking on behalf of their constituents,” he added.
But according to Hofschneider, it is not enough for lawmakers to oppose the monument proposal.
“We should put all the constructive criticism together and offer an alternative,” he said. “We say we support the concept of a marine monument, but we also want to do it our way — so let’s do it our way. Action speaks louder than words. Let’s introduce a legislative initiative, disseminate more information to the public about this issue and let the people decide.”
Hofschneider said “instead of attacking each other, let’s listen to one another, offer an alternative that is acceptable to the people and move forward.”
The current debate comes at a time “when the people feel that the feds have already taken away the CNMI’s submerged lands and immigration control — and now here’s another federal proposal to take away something from the local people,” he added. “We may disagree with this view, but this how some people look at it, and we also have to respect their opinion.”
The Senate and the House of Representatives have twice adopted resolutions opposing the monument proposal.
Like the Fitial administration and CNMI municipal officials, lawmakers fear that the proposal will “forever strip the indigenous people of their right to access the islands” of Maug, Asuncion and Uracas and the surrounding waters.
They said the waters around the three islands are already considered marine protected areas and that President Bush should instead establish a U.S. Coast Guard base here to protect the CNMI’s marine resources.
The main proponent of the proposal, the U.S.-based Pew Environment Group, said the CNMI has “a rare opportunity to permanently protect these ocean waters in a way that will benefit the CNMI’s unique marine environment, promote tourism, enhance research and education, and boost the local economy now and for generations to come.”
