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Marine monument nixed
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Posted on Apr 24 2008
The Legislature has adopted a resolution opposing the proposed marine monument in the Northern Islands.
By a vote of 17-3, the House of Representatives yesterday approved a resolution asking President Bush not to unilaterally declare the Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion islands as a marine sanctuary.
Representatives Tina Sablan, Heinz Hofschneider, and Edward Salas voted against the resolution.
The Senate adopted the resolution unanimously earlier this week.
In the resolution, the lawmakers said there has been little dialogue between the U.S. and CNMI governments on the proposal. They added that most of the CNMI citizens “have not and would not formally endorse” the proposal until more information is gathered and considered.
The lawmakers also expressed concern that the designation would prevent fishing and mining activities within the 115,000 square-mile area that is being eyed for the Northern Islands Marine National Monument. Such restriction, they said, may conflict with the commonwealth’s bid in establishing its own fishery and mining industries.
The resolution goes on to state that the CNMI “fervently opposes the transfer of any form of marine resource management authority over CNMI waters” to any federal agency.
“The establishment of the proposed monument seems likely to wrest control of access to these islands from the people of the CNMI, and transfer that control to those with little familiarity with the resources in question, the history of the islands, and the culture and traditions of their people,” states the resolution.
During debate on the floor, Sablan tried to set straight what she described as misconceptions about the proposed marine sanctuary. She argued that there is no rush to make the designation, and that the government and the community can negotiate the terms of the declaration if they so choose.
She also offered to amend the resolution to remove provisions that reject the proposal outright, and to focus on the call against any unilateral decision by Washington on the issue.
Her amendments were rejected.
