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‘NMI still has other means on submerged lands’
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Posted on Jun 01 2006
Contrary to recent reports, the CNMI government can legally enter into 902 Covenant negotiations to address the issue of submerged lands, according to a statement from the Governor’s office.
The administration statement pointed out that Section 902 of the Covenant “clearly states” that the CNMI and US governments may meet and consider in good faith such issues affecting the relationship between the two governments.
“Now that judicial remedies have been exhausted, our Commonwealth government still has two options to pursue: 902 Covenant negotiations and U.S. congressional action. Both options remain viable and should be vigorously pursued by a united CNMI government that includes the administration, the Legislature, and the Office of our Resident Representative to Washington, D.C. We must work together to pursue a common goal that is in the best long-term economic interests of the people of the CNMI,” the administration said.
The Fitial administration said it is merely asking that the CNMI stand together on the issue of submerged lands and present a united front that insists on securing a vital economic interest for the people of the Commonwealth, given the islands’ dire financial situation.
The administration believes that the CNMI should be afforded the same rights granted to all coastal American states under the Submerged lands Act, which includes 27 percent of all federal rents, royalties, and revenues paid annually to the coastal states and full right to three miles of submerged lands.
“If this is not possible, then, at the very least, the administration believes the CNMI is entitled to absolute rights of up to nine miles of submerged lands, similar to Puerto Rico’s situation,” the Governor’s Office said. “We do not have to settle, and we should not be content to settle, with the three-mile submerged lands rights accepted by some of our sister territories, especially since we have not yet fully exhausted our two remaining options with the US Congress and the Covenant 902 process.
“The CNMI should not sell itself short,” it added.
