In a letter to James L. Connaughton, chairman of the Council of Environmental Quality, Camacho expressed concern regarding the designation of the Marianas Trench as a marine conservation management area without assessing the cultural, environmental and economic impacts.
“We fully support conservation efforts, but in doing so we must consider the far reaching effects and take the appropriate time to hear from the stakeholders who will be affected,” said Camacho. “I believe that the management of cultural, economic and environmental resources should be conducted in an open and inclusive manner for all the residents of Guam and the [Northern] Mariana Islands.”
The letter further states that the mission of the Department of Defense is crucial for national security and the Marianas Trench has high strategic military value, but the designation of a monument without complete assessment of DOD operations and procedures would compromise the protection and conservation of marine resources.
President Bush has directed the Department of Defense, the Council of Environment Quality and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association to conduct an assessment.
