Working together to help ourselves get the promises made to the CNMI

Were you one of the 6,000 signers or 206 businesses that supported the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument? I was. In fact, for those who don’t already know, I was actively involved. Soon after the idea was presented and it seemed as if local officials were supportive, I wrote an article for MP Magazine. What inspired me about the idea of creating a local national monument and the reasons I wrote the article are the same. I supported the idea, because I could see that there would be opportunities for the CNMI that, given our local economic conditions, would be hard for the CNMI to achieve on its own. Little did I know, when I wrote the article, just how actively involved I would become.

Today, I am still actively involved as a continuing member of the Friends of the Monument. From the experience throughout the last year, I learned a great deal about the power of the people. I witnessed the power of people working in full action to achieve a common goal. I came to understand how culture and public policy must seek balance in order to be of any advantage whatsoever.

Many people ask me on a weekly basis, “What now? What’s happening? When will we start to see the benefits?” I take a deep breath and explain that it’s not a simple answer. As we offered in numerous public meetings and getting together with Friends of the Monument, this type of project is not a “one shot and it’s done” sort of deal. Just as the original monument idea was never just a done deal; the work on “what our monument can do for the CNMI” has just begun. Without public input and participation, we will end up with whatever is given to us. I ask everyone, supporters and non-supporters alike, is this what you want?

The sad reality is that the monument project could end up like so many other federally attempted programs and projects. Democracy is a system of the people and it only truly works when people participate. If people don’t participate, then we get, in essence, nothing. Or we get what is handed to us.

I’ve read recently, a couple of letters to the editors in both newspapers, from other Friends of the Monument reminding us of some of the promises that were made by the Council for Environment Quality, an office of the White House, during its visit here last October. During the public meeting, held at the Fiesta Resort and Spa with over 400 people in attendance, then chairman James Connaughton made an impressive effort to meet as many people in the room at that meeting as he possibly could. I was present in one particular conversation where I listened to him describe the types of advantages that the CNMI could benefit from should the creation of a monument actually occur. I believed him then and I believe that he would expect the new administration to follow through on the implied promises repeated again and again during the public meeting.

It is my wish for the all of us in the CNMI that we can continue our effort through the Friends of the Monument to assist in the creation of OUR monument. Sure, the federal government will have a leadership role and help provide the funding, but that does not preclude the people of the CNMI getting their voices heard. We can only be as effective as we are willing to participate. Let this letter be a call to action!

So back to the questions, starting with, “What now?” Now, we (the people of the CNMI) have a duty and an obligation to the future children of the CNMI to become vigilant guardians of this precious gift that we will bequeath to them. We must start with where the CNMI government and the federal government will start; from the very beginning of the process—CALL TO ACTION: Read the proclamation that declared the MTMNM.

As for, “What next?” The proclamation indicates that the Department of Interior and Department of Commerce, in collaboration with the CNMI government have three months to organize an advisory council. The second important fact is that the document, which is a public law, mandates that management regulations be accomplished within two-years of date of the proclamation. CALL TO ACTION: Follow who is being appointed and speak up if you have a suggestion for the Governor.

Lastly, “When will we start to see the benefits?” The advisory council is to be comprised of five people. These individuals will more or less determine what benefits we, the people of the CNMI, will realize. CALL TO ACTION: It is during this process that we must insist that the benefits promised are guaranteed.

For more information and a chance to participate, visit http://marianamonument.blogspot.com/. FaceBook users are encouraged to become a fan of Friends of the Monument fan page, so that you can receive invites to meeting and stay in touch with other supporters and concerned citizens.