One Week in Washington, DC

Under the Pala Pala XII – One Week in Washington, DC

Island Decisions and Island Opinions are made Under the Pala Pala

Last month I traveled to Washington, DC to assist Agnes McPhetres in testifying before the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife on behalf of the Friends of the Mariana Trench Monument. I also helped set up and participated in several meetings with federal officials, including Subcommittee staff, the staff of Representative Gregorio Kilili, and officials with NOAA Office of Marine National Sanctuaries, and others. We were unable to meet with anyone in Interior; they were busy with the Coral Reef Task Force meetings and were dealing with the passing of their Director.

Our week in our nation’s Capital was well spent. We traveled there to express our support for Representative Sablan’s H.R. 3511 and our opposition to Representative Madeleine Bordallo’s H.R. 4493. While we were there we picked up a lot of useful information and I would like to pass this along to the people living in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and those who are concerned with the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument and other related marine issues.

But first I would like to reiterate why I, along with the Friends of the Monument, support Sablan’s bill and oppose Bordallo’s bill. We are opposed to Bordallo’s bill for three reasons:

1. H.R. 4493 violates the promises made by the United States Government.
2. H.R. 4493 includes the Government Guam in the management of marine resources fully contained within the CNMI’s jurisdiction.
3. H.R. 4493 ties the management of the Mariana Trench Monument to the Guam National Wildlife Refuge, which according to Guam Public Law 23-24 is not recognized by the people of Guam.

When the Mariana Trench Monument was declared, the Government of the United States of America promised the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands that the monument would lead to the construction of a visitors center in the CNMI and the funding of vessels to access the area. H.R. 4493 would transfer these social and economic benefits from CNMI to Guam.

H.R. 4493 would also give Guam a seat on the Monument Advisory Panel and a role in the monument management plan. Bordallo argues that Guam should have a seat at the table because the monument includes their marine resources and because Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the ocean, is near Guam. That is untrue. There are no marine resources within 400 miles of Guam’s shore protected by the monument. The Islands Unit, the federal waters surrounding the CNMI islands of Uracas, Maug, and Asunction, is the only unit of the larger monument that includes marine protections. The Trench Unit and the Volcanic Unit, the units that come within 60 miles of Guam, are not marine protected areas. They do not protect marine resources; they simply recognize unique geological features at the bottom of the ocean. And Challenger Deep lies outside the borders of the monument. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Federated States of Micronesia and is not owned by the United States.

Finally, H.R. 4493 would tie the management of the Mariana Trench Monument in with the Guam National Wildlife Refuge. Doing so would create chaos and would inhibit the development of a monument management plan. Guam P.L. was passed “to prohibit the Government of Guam from entering into cooperative agreements with respect to the so-called Wildlife Refuge administered by the U.S. Department of Interior at the property in the northern area of Guam that was formerly the U.S. Naval Facility and to prohibit the use of Government of Guam resources and personnel in any manner that could be construed as supporting continuous federal holding of such properties.” To put it bluntly, H.R 4493 is in direct conflict with the laws of Guam.

This is just a quick summary of our testimony. If you are interested you can read the more detailed Testimony of the Friends of the Mariana Trench Monument and Testimony of Agnes McPhetres.

Then before I get into what we learned during our week in Washington, DC, I would just like to point out that from an environmentalist’s point of view, this whole process is a good thing. It is exciting that there is so much interest in the Marianas Trench Monument that the CNMI and Guam are working out which jurisdiction should have the larger role in its management. Imagine if the opposite were true; imagine if there was no interest in marine conservation. I prefer the current situation.

Representative Bordallo also deserves thanks for allowing this discussion and the Subcommittee hearing to take place. As the Chair she could easily push her bill through to the Committee level. She should be commended for taking the time to listen to the people of the CNMI and for allowing the 150+ letters written by our people to be introduced into the record.

By the way, how many people living on Guam submitted letters?

As this moves forward, it will be important to keep in mind that Bordallo is the Subcommittee Chair. She’s going to use her position to make sure she gets something. I’m just hopeful that a fair compromise can be worked out.

Placing the visitors center and headquarters in the CNMI must be non-negotiable, however. Promises were made by the United States Government and those promises have to be kept, but there must be a way to include Guam in the management plan of the geological resources of the monument as long as they agree that they should have no role in the management of the marine resources seeing as they are entirely within the jurisdiction of the CNMI.

Should Bordallo push ahead with including Guam in the management plan of the marine resources of the monument by changing the Antiquities Act declaration, one compromise could be legislating the Trench Unit into a no-take marine protected area. There is no commercial, recreational, subsistence, or sustenance fishing in that area today, so this would be a non-controversial, win-win move. CNMI would then no longer have an argument for not including Guam in the management plan and it would also turn the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument into the second largest marine protected area on the planet, another win-win. Another compromise would be to expand the Islands Unit to include Stingray Shoals, an area identified by NOAA as having the highest remaining shark densities in the Pacific, and the boiling pools of sulfur west of Maug, the universe’s only known sulfur pools outside Jupiter’s moon Io.

Also, if Bordallo is going to attempt to tie the monument to the Guam National Wildlife Refuge in an attempt to secure funds to manage and expand their existing Nature Center, she should start by pushing the Guam Senate to change Public Law 23-24 to officially recognize the Wildlife Refuge.

Now with all that out of the way, what exactly did we learn during our trip?

We learned from Eileen Sobeck, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks that there was no funding request made for the monument for 2011. The 2012 fiscal year does not begin until October 1, 2011; that is the earliest date funding to develop a management plan will be available. It is 9 months after the deadline imposed by the monument declaration.

We learned that 90% of the National Wildlife Refuges do NOT have visitors centers. That is a sobering thought and invalidates the argument that Guam and CNMI can each have a Marianas Trench Visitors Center. In all likelihood there will be no visitors center as long as United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the manager of the monument; and if there is one, there will only be one, not two.

There will also someday likely be a headquarters for this monument. USFWS officials have already expressed to us how easy it would be to house this headquarters on Guam. There is already an USFWS office on Guam and staff on Guam. All they’d have to do is add a few desks and allowing Guam on the Monument Advisory Panel makes this even more likely. If Governor Fitial wants to see those federal jobs come to the CNMI, he needs to change his position and oppose including Guam in the management scheme.

We learned that USFWS is always under-funded; their budget for the entire Pacific was under $1 million last year. Sobeck said that a visitors center typically costs about $7 million to build. You do the math.

We also learned that any monument educational programs as administered by USFWS would likely be volunteer driven, not paid, otherwise they would have to be initiated by the Friends of the Monument.

Clearly, the monument as is, the monument the leaders of the CNMI said they “negotiated,” is not the monument requested by any of the Friends of the Monument.

In our testimony we made the suggestion to transfer management authority from USFWS to NOAA Sanctuaries. We learned from different sources that this would be very difficult, that Congress tries not to amend Antiquities Act declarations. Another option would be for National Parks to take over from USFWS. We learned that this also has political ramifications and would be difficult, if not impossible.

Not all was bad; we also learned some good things. We learned that NOAA Sanctuaries could still build a visitors center in the CNMI although USFWS is the monument’s manager. They told us about the Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center in Key West, Florida. The Eco-Discovery Center features numerous exhibits that interpret the resources and management efforts of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, two national parks, and four national wildlife refuges. Exhibits include aspects of history, geography, and culture, as well as nature.

Something similar could exist in the CNMI, in fact, funding is already available that could design such a facility. On December 16, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the “FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriation Act (HR 3288)” which included an $220,000 earmark for the CNMI Department of Lands & Natural Resources.

In a letter to DLNR Secretary Ignacio Dela Cruz dated December 30, 2009, Representative Gregorio Camacho “Kilili” Sablan stated that the funds could be used to “develop a process for engaging input from the public to create a visitor and education center that will incorporate our existing marine protected areas and the new Marianas Trench National Monument.”

All Governor Fitial would have to do to move this forward is to write to NOAA Sanctuaries requesting their support and expertise in designing and implementing a plan for the “Angelo O’Connor Villagomez Eco-Discovery Center.”

We can work out the name later if somebody takes issue with it.

I know there is a lot of information contained in this letter and that I jump around a bit, but I hope it helps you wrap your brain around the many issues and players surrounding the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

It is never too late to have your voice heard. You can write a letter to Governor Fitial, Representaive Sablan, Representative Bordallo, President Obama, or any other elected official to share with them your hopes for this monument. I am always available to assist in any way possible.



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Under the Pala Pala is the regular commentary of environmentalist and erstwhile politician Angelo O’Connor Villagomez. Pala pala is the Chamorro word for an outdoor shelter traditionally made of wood and thatch used for staying out of the sun, cooking, eating, drinking, singing, and talking. Sign up to subscribe via email at www.AngeloVillagomez.com.

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Testimony of Agnes Manglona McPhetres

Spoken Testimony of

Agnes McPhetres

Vice Chair

Friends of the Mariana Trench Monument

Before the

Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife

Committee on Natural Resources

Hearing on the

Mariana Trench Marine National Monument Visitor Facility

Authorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 3511)

and the

Marine National Monument Management Enhancement Act of 2010/Bonitan Tasi (H.R. 4493)

February 25, 2010

Good morning, Chairwoman Bordallo, and other distinguished members and guests of the Subcommittee, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Friends of the Mariana Trench Monument.

My name is Agnes Manglona McPhetres and I am the Vice Chair of the Friends of the Monument. I have been an educator my entire life, assisted in founding and establishment of Northern Marianas College and was its President for 17 years until my retirement.

In 2008 I was one of the leaders of a grassroots movement that resulted in President George W. Bush creating the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. I gave presentations, went door to door collecting signatures for our petition, was interviewed on local talk radio and public television programs, and I even appeared in a television commercial. I also traveled to Washington, DC to share with federal officials the unprecedented level of support and excitement back home.

My main concern with the monument has always been education. Education is the cornerstone of self-determination and it is so important that our children become educated. While we have several lawyers and a few medical doctors, there are no indigenous scientists working in Saipan. From the moment I heard about this monument, I hoped that it would inspire a generation of our local children to seek degrees and careers in science and I dreamed it would lead to our local resource agencies being staffed with Chamorro and Carolinian marine biologists.

Promises were made by the Bush Administration that the monument would benefit education, increase research, enrich culture, support tourism, and of course, protect our fragile marine environment. Specifically, our people were promised that the monument would become the headquarters for the Monument including the site of a Mariana Trench Visitors Center.

H.R. 4493 would take the social, educational, and economical benefits promised to the people of the Northern Mariana Islands and turn them over to Guam. The Friends oppose this change.

For this reason I ask the Subcommittee to support H.R. 3511, as it follows the original understanding between the White House and the residents of the CNMI that led to the monument declaration.

I would also ask the Subcommittee to explore improving upon the monument declaration by (1) increasing the scope and scale of the protections, (2) closing some loopholes that allow harmful extractive activities within the monument, and (3) transferring managerial authority to NOAA Office of Marine National Sanctuaries.

Contrary to what was reported in the press in 2009, the monument has not been afforded the strongest protections available. Also, the monument excludes many biologically and geologically unique features inside the United States EEZ, including the area thought to have the highest remaining density of sharks left in the Pacific and the site of a pool of liquid boiling sulfur on the ocean bottom that supports previously unknown forms of life. The Friends recommend that the borders of the Islands Unit be extended to include the entire United States EEZ surrounding the islands of Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion.

A map of the monument gives the impression that an ocean area the size of Michigan has been protected, however, the Trench Unit and the Volcanic Unit of the monument are not marine protected areas. Not a single drop of water or a single fish is protected within their borders. Only the Islands Unit, about 1/6 of the monument, protects marine life.

The protections for the Islands Unit, although restricting commercial fishing, still allow for harmful extractive activities. The position of the Friends is that the Islands Unit of the monument should only be used to enhance culture, promote research, advance education, and protect the environment. We recommend that the protections afforded the monument be strengthened.

It would also be more appropriate for an agency focused on ocean conservation, research and education, specifically NOAA Sanctuaries, to manage the marine resources within the Islands Unit, rather than one focused primarily on fish and wildlife management. We recommend that the Islands Unit of the monument be afforded marine sanctuary protection resulting in a Mariana Trench Marine National Sanctuary.

And finally, while Guam and CNMI do share cultural and geographic similarities, we are two separate territories with distinct governments, histories, and populations and there are many reasons for locating the Mariana Trench Monument headquarters in the CNMI rather than Guam. Those reasons include (1) the CNMI’s closer proximity to most of the monument, especially its most significant features, (2) promises made by the U.S. Government, namely the Bush Administration to place the monument in the CNMI, (3) the CNMI’s population has a greater need for ocean literacy, scientific education and research to lift the CNMI’s educational standards, (4) the fact that placing the headquarters in the CNMI would help diversify our economy and lift our ailing tourism industry, (5) and it was the people of the CNMI who lobbied, petitioned, and negotiated for a monument while the political leaders and the people of Guam opposed one.

Additionally, any economic benefits to the CNMI will likely generate benefits to Guam because much of our transportation and services come through Guam. However the reverse is not true. In addition Guam is already dealing with an economic boom from the massive buildup of military forces. A headquarters, visitor center and related facilities in the CNMI will be disproportionately beneficial to our people – who need the educational and other benefits that would come from the international recognition of the Mariana Trench. It will make a great difference where the headquarters and related facilities end up being built and there are excellent reasons for putting it on Saipan, even if there are more people and a busier airport on Guam.

While I can understand the logic of centralizing all Federal activities in Guam, may I remind this Committee, that logic should not take precedence over principle. We trust that the Subcommittee will do the right thing and place the headquarters for the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument in the CNMI. Thank you once again for the opportunity to speak today.

Friends of the Monument elect Directors

A diverse group of individuals -- a lawyer, a teacher, a dive instructor, a former president of the local college, a former director of the Division of Environmental Quality, a small business owner and a community organizer -- have been elected as the first directors of the Friends of the Monument.

The Friends of the Monument previously had three officers, but the group is expanding as the role of their organization expands.

“Last year our main focus was building local support for the monument and showcasing that support to the decision makers in Washington, DC,” explained Director Ignacio Cabrera.

The organization has plans to set up as many as six committees to fulfill the vision they outlined in their October 2008 Vision Statement, but for now will focus on three areas: Outreach & Education, working with the local government, and working with the federal government.

“Our organization plans on being involved with the management of the monument,” said Director Agnes McPhetres. “It is so important that the people of the Marianas, and not just a handful of political appointees, get to have their say in how this monument is managed.”

The new Directors are Cabrera, McPhetres, Bryan Jones, Jane Mack, Laurie Peterka, Mike Tripp, and Angelo Villagomez. The directors will elect officers during their next Board of Directors meeting scheduled for this month.

The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, a 95,000 square mile marine protected area designated by President George W. Bush on January 6, 2009. More information of the Friends of the Monument can be found online at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.

Former First Lady Thanks Friends of the Monument

Monumental moment: Friends of the Monument's Agnes McPhetres presented then-First Lady Laura Bush with Mariana Trench t-shirts on the day the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument was created by then-President George W. Bush.

SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands – Former First Lady Laura Bush recently wrote to the Friends of the Monument thanking them for their role in supporting the creation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

The letter, embossed with the official White House seal reads, “We are pleased that you joined us at the White House for the signing of the proclamation to create the Pacific Marine National Monuments. Your gifts will always remind us of your support throughout the process that led this special occasion.”

Friends of the Monument’s Agnes M. McPhetres presented then-first lady Bush with two orange Mariana Trench Monument t-shirts after the monument declaration signing in Washington, DC on January 6, 2009.

The former first lady added, “Conservation and protection of our ocean resources is vitally important to our nation and the world. I am proud of the accomplishments of my husband’s Administration to protect America’s oceans. He joins me in sending best wishes to your organization for future success in advancing marine conservation.”

The letter from the former first lady included an autographed photo of her and former President George W. Bush.
Friends of the Monument’s Angelo O. Villagomez said of the letter, “I am really proud of our people. We are showing the world how local actions can have global consequences. Even the former President of the United States and his first lady know about our work here.”

The Friends of the Monument were the main proponents for a marine monument in the Marianas. When local elected leaders were not receptive to the idea of a marine monument, the Friends started a petition drive and collected over 6000 signatures from local residents. They also gained endorsements from the business community and prominent community leaders.

The islands’ political establishment ultimately supported the monument. According to a statement issued by Governor Benigno R Fitial on the day of the designation, “I welcome President Bush's historic announcement establishing the Marianas Trench Marine National 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.”

When asked about what he was going to do with the letter, Friends of the Monument’s Ignacio V. Cabrera said, “I’m going to hang it on my wall at home so that I can remember all we have accomplished.”

Silly grin: Friends of the Monument's Angelo Villagomez and the letter from Laura Bush.

Friends of the Monument officers Agnes M. McPhetres, Ignacio V. Cabrera, and Angelo O. Villagomez were on hand to witness the historic monument declaration this past January.

The Friends of the Monument formed in the Spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community and consists of a cross-section of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine flora, fauna and geological features of the oceans; and the creation and proper management of a Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

More information on the Friends of the Monument and the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument can be found at http://marianamonument.blogspot.com.

Media Books are in

Friends of the Monument Press Release

Friends of the Monument Release Petition with over 5500 signatures

21 October 2008

Contact:

Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)
Andrew Salas: andrewssalas@hotmail.com; 670-285-3740 (c); 233-8200 (o)

Saipan — Today the Friends of the Monument (FOM), a coalition of indigenous and resident people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) who support designation and protection of the waters of the Mariana Trench* announced they have met their petition goal in support of a protected marine monument.

“More than 5500 local residents of the CNMI signed our petition in support of designating a monument in the waters around the three northernmost islands of the Mariana Islands,” said Ike Cabrera Chairman of FOM. “We will be submitting these signatures to the federal government this week as part of the comment period announced by President Bush.”

Andrew Salas, FOM vice chair, pointed out the significance of the thousands of signatures. “It wasn’t easy but over 60 individuals spent four months gathering the signatures. Our islands only have about 12,000 registered voters, and 65,000 residents. Fifty-five hundred signatures represent a tremendous endorsement of the marine conservation and the monument idea.”

On August 25, 2008 President George W. Bush directed his federal agencies to assess several sites in the Pacific for increased conservation and protection, including the possible designation of new marine monuments. One of the sites identified by the White House is a portion of the Mariana Trench within Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and adjacent waters. A proposal for protecting this area of more than 115,000 square miles has been debated in the CNMI for almost a year.

“Now that thousands of people in CNMI have spoken out in support of a marine monument,” continued Agnes McPhetres, Vice Chair of the FOM, “we would like to see more support for the concept from our elected officials. It’s an opportunity we shouldn’t pass up”

Concluded Cabrera, “We have worked hard to demonstrate to the federal government that the people of the CNMI support marine conservation and the proposed monument. We hope they listen.”

*The Mariana Trench is the deepest point on the globe at over 36,000 feet deep. Mt. Everest dropped into the Trench would have more than a mile of water above it.

Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com

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Press Release from the Friends of the Monument

Friends of the Monument Release Signature Advertisement

20 October 2008

Contact:

Ike Cabrera: inac1@pticom.com; (670) 256-5648 (h); 483-8426 (m)
Agnes McPhetres: agnesm42@gmail.com; 670-235-2430 (h)

Saipan — Ike Cabrera, Chairman of the Friends of the Monument, today announced the publication of a 4-page “signature” advertisement in the Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety with over 2500 people from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

“The fact that so many local people are willing to speak out on this issue shows how important it is for the future of CNMI,” stated Ike Cabrera, chairman of Friends of the Monument. “We want this advertisement to demonstrate to the visiting federal officials the enormous public support there is for the proposed Mariana Trench Marine Monument.”

Friends of the Monument Vice Chair Agnes McPhetres said, "Signatures for the advertisement were gathered over the past four months by more than 60 volunteers. It’s been a real grassroots effort by many many people.”

The Friends of the Monument will be welcoming James Connaughton, Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Lyle Laverty, Assistant Secretary of the Interior and Tim Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce.

A public meeting will be held in Saipan on Monday October 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In addition the Washington DC delegation will meet with the Governor, the Legislature and many local groups.

The proposal for designating a marine monument in CNMI waters under the Antiquities Act of 1906 is under consider by the Bush administration. The proposal includes possible conservation and protection of the waters surrounding the northernmost CNMI islands and portions of the Mariana Trench, the deepest point on the globe.

Friends of the Monument formed in the spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community in CNMI. Its membership is made up of a cross section of indigenous and resident people of the CNMI who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine life and geological features of nearby waters and the proper management of the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.

Friends of the Monument Web site: http://marianamonument.blogspot.com

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Agnes McPhetres on the Monument

Agnes is the Vice Chair of the Friends of the Monument

Mr. Cabrera goes to Washington

Friends of the Monument Chair Ignacio Cabrera and Vice-Chair Agnes McPhetres recently met with Federal officials in our Nation's capitol, Washington DC, to talk about the proposed Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. They met with officials from the Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Interior, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, and with several elected Representatives in the House.