The U.S. Department of Interior has taken the first formal step toward seabed mineral leasing in federal waters near American Samoa. KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
Interior has announced a Request for Information (RFI) to explore the possibility of mineral leasing offshore from American Samoa.
The RFI will be published in the Federal Register in the coming days.
This move will launch a 30-day public comment period and, according to Interior says, “marks the first formal step toward what could be the first mineral lease sale in federal waters in over 30 years.”
President Trump directed the department to look at new prospects for critical mineral development offshore in an Executive Order.
However, the proposed seabed leasing near American Samoa has led to serious local concerns, including strong responses from the governor and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata.
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(Transc.) Amata: “There are places all over the world that have these material…and I don’t think this is the only area.”
Amata says there are concerns about mining’s impact to local waters and vital fisheries.
In response, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Fox Business News…
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(Transc.) Burgum: “You can do it in a way that doesn’t affect the ocean or the wildlife in the ocean—the fish.”
Still, Amata says the firm that applied for the lease testified before a Congressional committee that advanced mining technology won’t be available for several years.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, recognizing how sensitive the issue is in American Samoa, says it will seek input from American Samoa’s “indigenous community, ocean users, government agencies and the public.”
The area being considered for the seabed mining lease is northeast of the Manu’a Island and Rose Atoll, bordering the Cook Islands EEZ. It spans roughly 18.1 million acres, with ocean depths of 4,600-20,000 ft.
The comment period ends on July 16. Submission details are available at: www.boem.gov/American-Samoa.
