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Inos signs new law for DLNR to manage submerged lands
Gov. Eloy S. Inos signed a new law on Thursday giving the Department of Lands and Natural Resources authority to manage submerged lands 3 miles off the Commonwealth’s coast, six months after President Barack Obama conveyed these submerged lands to the CNMI through U.S. Public Law 113-34.
The governor signed Senate floor leader Ray Yumul’s (Ind-Saipan) Senate Bill 18-38 into Public Law 18-42.
This also establishes by law Managaha Island’s protection, preservation, and maintenance of public access. That authority to manage Managaha by law also rests with DLNR, in consultation with the Department of Public Lands.
Yumul said yesterday he appreciates the governor’s signing of his SB 18-38 into law.
The new law also authorizes the DLNR secretary to promulgate necessary regulations to carry out its duties.
Obama’s September signing of U.S. PL 113-34 conveyed 3-mile submerged lands to the CNMI, which became the last U.S. coastal state or territory to own its offshore lands. That law was a result of Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan’s (Ind-MP) request to U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Lisa Murkowski to introduce S. 256.
In January, however, Obama held off conveying submerged lands surrounding five of the CNMI’s 14 islands that are either part of a national marine monument or under lease to the U.S. military.
On March 13, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell conveyed oil, gas, and mineral deposit rights found in the 3-mile submerged lands to the CNMI. On March 27, Inos accepted on behalf of the CNMI people the patent conveying these mineral rights to the Commonwealth, in the presence of acting U.S. Interior assistant secretary Sally Jewell, who hand-delivered the patent from Washington, D.C. to Saipan.
MVA board nominations
In other news, the governor renominated on Thursday Kwang Joong Kim to the Marianas Visitors Authority board of directors, and appointed Juan Ogo Barcinas also to serve on the MVA board.
Their appointments require the Senate’s advice and consent.
Kim represents Saipan business on the MVA board. If confirmed, Kim will serve another four-year term expiring on March 16, 2018.
Once confirmed by the Senate, Ogo will serve the MVA board—representing Tinian—for four years commencing on the date of his confirmation.
