PEW to press advocacy for NI monument

Despite the local government’s lack of interest in the Marine Monument proposal presented by the Pew Environmental group, the group will continue advocating for a marine monument in the northern islands.

“Ultimately, this thing should be supported by the people of the CNMI. We’ve presented this to leadership—the Legislature, the Senate, and the governor. And we will continue to do presentations to this,” said Beautify CNMI!’s Angelo Villagomez.

The group is pushing for the designation of the northernmost islands of Farallon de Pajaron (Uracas), Maug, and Asuncion and the waters surrounding these islands as a national monument, similar to last year’s designation by President Bush of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

The project is seen as a means to preserve the area as a protected marine habitat. All three islands are uninhabited and volcanic, but the waters surrounding them teem with life and as yet to be discovered new species of marine creatures.

House Speaker Arnold Palacios has strongly spoken out against having the northern islands in the CNMI turned into a marine national monument.

Also, a letter from Gov. Benigno R. Fitial opposed the marine monument designation “at this time.”

Fitial stated in his letter to Pew project director Jay Nelson that, although he appreciates Pew’s interest in the CNMI, “the government must fully consider all options and decide carefully, prudently, and strategically.”

The Pew Charitable Trusts had written to the governor on Dec. 20 of last year urging him to support the creation of the marine monument.

Pew Manager Matt Rand said the marine monument would bring much media attention from all over the world and create jobs for many local residents.

Despite these oppositions, Villagomez said the people of the CNMI are “ultimately” the ones who must ask the government to do this.

Nelson said that, if there is any kind of dispute over the designation of a marine monument in the CNMI, the Bush administration would not step into the fray.

However, Rand said that the CNMI is the “most special place for the President of the United States to consider having a marine monument located at.”

According to the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council, “the $4 billion plus organization was instrumental in having 137,000 square nautical miles surrounding the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands proclaimed as the first-ever marine national monument and closing down the eight vessel limited entry bottom fish fishery located over there.”

Villagomez said presentations on the marine monument proposal will be shown to whoever is interested in learning more about it.

“They can call me and we’ll schedule something for those who want to see it,” Villagomez said.