Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lieutenant Governor Joshua Tenorio, and Senator Will Parkinson strongly opposed federal plans to expand deep-sea mining near Guam following the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) release of a new Area Identification memorandum.
BOEM announced that the potential lease area, originally 35.5 million acres east of the Marianas, now includes a western zone of 33.6 million acres—bringing the total to more than 69 million acres and as close as 46 miles from Guam’s shores. The expansion responds to industry interest rather than public or environmental concerns.
“We are profoundly disappointed…We will show up on every front to make sure that our needs are met, concerns are heard, and that our oceans are protected,” Leon Guerrero said. Tenorio added, “BOEM’s moving ahead…despite public objections demonstrates how much of a flawed process this is.”
Senator Parkinson called the expansion “another example of federal agencies treating our region like a sacrifice zone,” citing unified opposition from Guam, the CNMI, marine scientists, and local communities. He urged a non-binding decolonization vote to send a clear message of non-consent, warning that the process undermines both Indigenous rights and the region’s political voice.
The BOEM memo noted widespread concerns, including risks to deep-sea ecosystems, fisheries, tourism, endangered species, underwater cultural heritage, and Indigenous sovereignty. The agency said the western zone was added due to industry interest, and the Area ID step will proceed to environmental analysis before any leasing decision.
Parkinson emphasized the need for regional unity and a greater voice in decisions affecting the Marianas. “Now is the time for unity. We must defend the Marianas, defend our ocean, and defend the principle that our people are not voiceless spectators in decisions that affect our own home,” he said.