Guam’s elected leadership is presenting a unified front against proposed federal deep-sea mining near Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, citing environmental risks, insufficient science and inadequate public consultation.
Vice Speaker Tony Ada, chairman of the Legislature’s Committee on Environment, said Tuesday he opposes moving forward with the project, noting the current process lacks sufficient scientific data, Guam-specific impact information and meaningful community engagement. He said he will call for legislative oversight before any decisions proceed.
Sen. Therese M. Terlaje announced she has introduced Resolution No. 132-38 (COR), urging the suspension of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s plan to lease more than 35 million acres of waters near Guam and the CNMI for deep-sea mining. Terlaje invited fishermen, cultural practitioners, environmental advocates and residents to testify, citing irreparable impacts and the absence of benefit-sharing or mitigation.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, Congressman James Moylan, Speaker Frank Blas Jr. and Sen. Tina Muña Barnes, also met to respond to BOEM’s request for information on the proposal. The group agreed on unified opposition to commercial leasing until more concrete information on environmental impacts is available.
“Our ocean is not a commodity,” Leon Guerrero said, adding the government would not support actions risking irreversible harm without clear science and meaningful consultation.
Despite joint requests by Guam and CNMI leaders for a 120-day extension, BOEM granted a 30-day extension. The public comment deadline is Jan. 12, 2026.
A public hearing on Terlaje’s resolution is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Guam Congress Building.