By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Marine Minerals Administration today issued the final notice for a seabed minerals lease sale offshore American Samoa, covering two areas totaling 31.4 million acres, taking the last step before the sale award set for Nov. 19.
The federal agency emphasized that a winning bid and a lease do not grant immediate permission to harvest deep-sea minerals; they only authorize preliminary activities such as mapping.
MMA said the lease award will be followed by a multi-stage post-auction regulatory process prior to physical exploration, testing or full-scale commercial harvesting.
“Critical minerals are no longer just commodities; they are a vital strategic asset in global competition, essential for reaching our energy efficiency goals, strengthening our national defense, and securing domestic supply chains,” said Mike Olsen, acting MMA director
“MMA recognizes the ocean floor surrounding American Samoa carries cultural, economic and environmental significance, requiring that the pursuit of national security and energy readiness is balanced with rigorous environmental stewardship," he added.
American Samoa Gov. Nikolau Pula has asked the U.S. government for equitable federal-territorial revenue sharing from commercial operations.
While saying it supports the governor’s request, MMA said it is not currently authorized by law to offer revenue sharing.
"MMA notes the submission of H.R. 10318 by Rep. King-Hinds that recognizes the importance of revenue sharing in Pacific territories," the agency said.
"MMA is actively working with the Department of the Interior leadership, lawmakers and relevant stakeholders to support efforts toward new statutory authority for American Samoa to receive a fair share of revenues generated from offshore mineral leasing associated with the territory," it added.
The federal agency issued the notice amid a pending lawsuit filed by an environmental coalition led by Earthjustice seeking to halt the sale of leases.
Olsen assured American Samoa that as MAA evaluates potential deep-sea resources, its priority remains guided by science, environmental review and meaningful engagement with the people and leadership of the territory.
The MMA's environmental assessment report said the proposed exploration "is not expected to constitute an irretrievable and irreversible commitment of resources, since the leases considered do not authorize any mining operations."
The report said that marine cultural resources are unlikely to be found in the deepwater action area.
However, MMA said that existing federal historic preservation and environmental laws and regulations would reduce the magnitude of overall impacts on any cultural resources present in the lease areas.
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