Guam lawmakers back opposition to the proposed marine monument

Lawmakers in Guam are opposing the proposal to create a Marianas Trench Marine Monument, saying the federal government is pursuing the issue “without either recognizing the indigenous native classification for descendants of CNMI inhabitants or providing an avenue for Guam’s self-determination process.”

In a resolution supporting the CNMI’s Carolinian Affairs Advisory Committee’s opposition to the proposal, the 29th Guam Legislature said it is unjust for President Bush to attempt to leave an environmental legacy by way of a national marine monument for the Marianas Trench without first receiving full input from stakeholders in the CNMI, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the surrounding territories in the Pacific region.

Senators Judith Guthertz, Rory Respicio and Benjamin Cruz introduced Resolution No. 196.

President Bush wants an area encompassing 115,000 square miles of ocean surrounding the CNMI’s three northernmost islands of Asuncion, Maug and Uracas be designated as the Marianas Trench National Marine Monument as part of his “Blue Legacy” project.

“A more appropriate and fitting legacy for President Bush would have been to take steps to further the development of self-determination and self-government for the people of Guam,” the resolution states.

Guam, the senators said, continues to be a U.S. territory and is listed in the United Nations as one of the earth’s 16 remaining non-self government areas. Each year, the U.S. State Department reports to the U.N. on what the U.S. is doing to bring Guam to self-government.

The Guam lawmakers reiterated their belief that the islands of Micronesia are all communities that draw their economic livelihood, spiritual well-being and civic strength from their God-given, tropical ocean-based environments.

They also said many common activities focus on environmental protection and sustainable development.

They said the Bush proposal offers a protectionist and preservationist approach instead of sustainable use approach.

“The indigenous people of Guam have been fishing in the waters surrounding the Marianas Islands for some 4,000 years and have not damaged the natural resources and are considered good stewards of our ocean environment,” they reasoned.

They said the people of Guam joins the CNMI in a cohesive stand to oppose the proposed monument in the CNMI without full consultation with stakeholders.

The Guam lawmakers said management authority must still rest under the Magnuson-Stevenson Act, which involves the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Western Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Council.

Such responsibilities, they said, should not be transferred to the National Marine Sanctuary Program or other federal agencies.