Fitial testifies before Congress

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial testified yesterday before the Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee chaired by Guam Delegate Madeline Bordallo in support of the coral reef and submerged lands bills relating to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The submerged lands bill proposes to grant the CNMI control over the three miles of submerged lands similar to that possessed by Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The governor reiterated his discussions with former Council on Environmental Quality chair James Connaughton about the need for a revenue-sharing arrangement that would apply to any mineral deposits found in the federal exclusive economic zone surrounding the insular areas. American Samoa Rep. Eni Faleomavaega immediately responded favorably to this suggestion. He stated that he intended to introduce legislation authorizing a study regarding the feasibility of producing mineral deposits (specifically manganese nodules) believed to exist in large quantities in the ocean waters surrounding the insular areas.

“I am pleased that the subcommittee looked favorably upon a mineral deposit revenue-sharing arrangement,” said Fitial.

These hearings took place on the afternoon of Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 (Thursday Saipan time).

In the morning, Fitial had the opportunity to meet with Secretary Ken Salazar of the Department of the Interior, who addressed the governor’s comments at the Interagency Group on Insular Affairs meeting a day earlier. Based on Salazar’s comments, Fitial is hopeful that the new Secretary will play an important role in ensuring that the enforcement of Public Law 110-229 will not adversely affect the Commonwealth’s economy.

Later in the afternoon, Fitial completed his busy schedule with a meeting with Cheryl Parker Rose, the senior advisor and director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the Speaker of the House, Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Fitial discussed with Rose the two main issues of current interest to the Commonwealth—the scheduled increase in the minimum wage levels for the Commonwealth and American Samoa and his pending request for an extension of the effective date of Public Law 110-229 for 180 days beyond June 1, 2009. The Governor expects to have further conversations with the Speaker’s Office in the near future. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]