Fitial statement on designation

[I]I welcome President Bush’s historic announcement establishing the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. On behalf of the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, I look forward to joining the President today for the official signing of the Monument Proclamation.

All of us in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands appreciate this recognition of our unique natural and geological environment. We anticipate that this designation will encourage and support scientific and educational programs that will enlighten people all over the world regarding the Mariana Trench, hydrothermal vents, and coral reefs now protected as parts of the Monument.

Over the past few months, I have been actively engaged in discussions with the White House Council on Environmental Quality regarding the objectives and scope of the proposed monument. I have been joined in these discussions by President Pete Reyes of the Commonwealth Senate and Speaker Arnold Palacios of the Commonwealth House of Representatives. Our objectives in these conservations were very simple: to put aside the very divisive advocacy of the PEW Foundation on this subject and to focus on the need to protect the interests of the people of the Commonwealth.

I would like to commend the Council on Environmental Quality and its Chairman, James Connaughton, for the care and attention that they brought to this project. They listened to our concerns. They reexamined the initial range of proposals in light of these concerns and worked constructively to address them. I believe that the end result is an example of how federal and local officials can work together productively to achieve a common objective.

First, the Monument designation focuses on the area necessary for the proper care and management of these unique resources—which ranks it high among the nation’s largest conservation areas. As Chairman Connaughton has pointed out, however, there did not appear to be significant additional conservation benefit to gain from some proposals to extend the boundaries to the full extent of the United States exclusive economic zone.

Second, the designation prohibits commercial fishing only within the large area surrounding the three northern islands included in the Monument which are already protected by the CNMI Constitution.

Third, the designation defers to the local Commonwealth government to determine what traditional indigenous fishing should take place within this protected area.

Fourth, the designation does not conflict with areas where potential mineral deposits are most likely to be found.

Fifth, the Administration has committed to support legislation giving the Commonwealth control over its submerged lands and to develop legislation providing economically beneficial access to mineral deposits on federal submerged lands.

Finally, the Monument Proclamation provides for full participation by the Commonwealth in the co-management of the monument. We look forward to participating in the Advisory Council and as cooperating agencies over the next two years and beyond to help develop the management plans and regulations that will implement the President’s Proclamation to achieve our shared conservation goals.
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