Rep. Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, said it’s about time that the CNMI recognize that as part of the U.S. political family, it should go along with the rules.
In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the CNMI’s motion to appeal the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the islands ceded its rights to its territorial waters when it became a commonwealth of the U.S. more than three decades ago.
Benavente who testified before the U.S. Congress in his capacity as speaker in the Ninth, 10th and 11th Legislatures recalled he strongly opposed the three-mile offer.
“Even though I am fully aware of the arguments for the fight for the 200-mile submerged lands, I feel that the uncertainty regarding the CNMI laws on coastal waters is a problem,” said Benavente.
“If we accept that we are part of the United States, then just like any other U.S. entity, we should have the three miles,” he added.
Both houses of the U.S. Congress introduced several pieces of legislation about the CNMI’s submerged land jurisdiction but none was passed.
On Feb. 10, CNMI Congressional Delegate Gregorio C. Sablan introduced H.R. 934 which will grant the commonwealth control over its submerged lands from the shore up to three miles.
The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources has already conducted a public hearing on the measure and all witnesses, including Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, supported it.
Benavente said times have changed and the court has already settled the issue.
“I think at this time, it is better for the CNMI to accept and support the three mile jurisdiction as proposed by [Sablan],” he said.
