The US Marine Minerals Administration has taken the next step in seabed mineral leasing offshore of American Samoa.
KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
The MMA was publishing (today) in the Federal Register its Proposed Leasing Notice for its expected mineral lease sale near American Samoa.
The agency, part of BOEM, had stated in the president’s FY ’27 budget request, it expects to hold a lease sale this August.
The Proposed Leasing Notice lays out terms and conditions for the sale and MMA announced, “advances the leasing process.”
It claims, “to support responsible access to critical minerals to strengthen US supply chains, enhance energy readiness and sustain technologies that power the nation’s modern economy.”
But the Fono, Governor and Congresswoman have all opposed seabed mineral mining, especially within 50 miles of shore.
Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata has repeatedly voiced her opposition to Interior and before congressional panels.
Amata said, “the ocean that surrounds American Samoa belongs to the people of American Samoa – it is our heritage.”
MMA trying to ease opposition requires in its Proposed Notice that lessees make “every reasonable effort to hire American Samoans,” use local businesses and the Port of Pago Pago.
Acting MMA Director Matt Giacona argues China’s dominance in many critical minerals “creates unacceptable risks for America’s energy, defense and manufacturing sectors.”
President Trump is seeking nearly $18 million for mineral mapping, leasing and Pacific Islander outreach in his request…which signals the administration’s seriousness in implementing the president’s Executive Orders on mineral mining.
MMA can now publish a final Leasing Notice at least 30 days prior to the sale date.
The agency says it’s already done an environmental assessment of possible impacts of issuing two leases in federal waters off American Samoa.
And MMA just published 16 new American Samoa submerged land plats or Official Protraction Diagrams that it says “legally define all leasing areas.”
All the materials are available at www.boem.gov/american-samoa
