Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who earlier opposed the idea, now welcomes it, according to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.
“The governor is supporting three miles for the CNMI, which currently has none. This would have to be taken up by the Congress,” Reyes said.
During the White House ceremony for the designation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and two other marine sanctuaries in the Pacific on Tuesday, Bush said: “I have asked the secretary of the Interior to submit legislation that…transfers to the CNMI the existing rights and title of the federal government over submerged lands within three miles of the coast of the CNMI, consistent with that provided to Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, and I urge the Congress to promptly pass such legislation.”
He added, “I have also directed the Department of the Interior to develop legislation and procedures for the management and administration of recovery of mineral resources in areas of the Pacific, outside the Monument, that are not currently covered by existing offshore mineral resource law, including authority and procedures for obtaining royalties and assessing fees and for revenue sharing, as appropriate.”
The governor, who witnessed the signing of the president’s declaration, is expected to return this weekend with first lady Josie Fitial.
In 2005, the U.S. Senate introduced S. 1831 to give the CNMI a three-mile jurisdiction over its submerged lands, but the Fitial administration opposed the bill.
The governor said the minerals that could be found in the 200-mile EEZ would substantially help the CNMI economically.
