ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 9077ProclamationObama · D Quiet signal

Proclamation 9077

Reserving Certain Submerged Lands in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

President Obama issued a proclamation on January 15, 2014, excepting certain submerged lands around five islands in the Northern Mariana Islands from transfer to the Commonwealth government under Public Law 93-435. The proclamation permanently protects marine national monument lands around three islands and preserves military training areas near two leased islands, with provisions for future conveyance if management agreements are reached.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 3479

Impact dates

  1. Conveyance of submerged lands to CNMI under section 1(a) of Public Law 93-435 unless President designates otherwise

Key directives

  • Except submerged lands adjacent to Farallon de Pajaros (Uracas), Maug, and Asuncion from transfer to CNMI
  • Except submerged lands adjacent to Tinian and Farallon de Medinilla from transfer to CNMI
  • Preserve Secretary of Interior authority to subsequently convey monument lands upon management agreement
  • Preserve Secretary of Interior authority to subsequently convey military training lands upon Navy-CNMI agreement

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Submerged lands excepted from transfer effective January 16, 2014
  • Protection of Marianas Trench Marine National Monument Islands Unit maintained
  • Military training areas adjacent to Tinian and Farallon de Medinilla preserved

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Potential future conveyance of monument-adjacent lands if Secretary of Interior, Secretary of Commerce, and CNMI reach management coordination agreement
  • Potential future conveyance of military training lands if Secretary of Navy and CNMI reach protection agreement

Risks & tensions

  • Potential tension between CNMI desire for control of submerged lands and federal priorities of environmental protection and military readiness
  • Conditional future conveyance provisions create uncertainty for CNMI land ownership timeline
  • Military training needs may conflict with local interests near Tinian and Farallon de Medinilla
Proclamation 9077: Reserving Certain Submerged Lands in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands · Executive Orders