CNMI Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, right, poses for a photo with other Western Governors.
WGA photo
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios attended the Western Governors’ Association 2025 Annual Meeting, hosted by New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at the ballroom of the Eldorado Hotel and Spa in Santa Fe on June 23 and 24.
The governor departed last Friday and is expected to return to the island before the end of this week.
The WGA represents the governors of 22 westernmost U.S. states and territories, working across a broad spectrum of policy issues to advance shared priorities.
This year’s meeting featured public policy discussions on topics such as housing, outdoor recreation, post-fire flooding, rural health care, education, labor, and more.
During the meeting, the Western governors approved four bipartisan policy resolutions covering:
• Mineral production
• Radioactive materials management
• Biosecurity and invasive species
• Recreation and tourism on public lands
These resolutions are used by the governors to collectively advocate for Western priorities in Washington, D.C.
“We are probably the most robust governors’ association in terms of bipartisan efforts at passing policy resolutions,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham.
“We will be doing that this time — everything from radioactive waste management and mining to recreation and tourism on public lands.”
Among the resolutions approved was Policy Resolution 2025-9: Recreation and Tourism on Public Lands, which outlines the Western governors’ policy on managing public lands for recreation and tourism.
The resolution supports public access and sustainable outdoor recreation, while also emphasizing the protection of ecological, economic, and cultural resources. It encourages federal agencies to coordinate closely with states and local stakeholders, and recommends actions to ensure that land management agencies have the necessary resources to:
• Accommodate increased visitation;
• Enhance the visitor experience;
• Support local economies; and
• Maintain public lands for multiple uses.
It also urges the federal government to clearly communicate contingency plans and provide guidance to regional and local land managers, communities, and state tourism offices in the event of a federal government shutdown, to help minimize negative impacts on both communities and visitors.
