New Maps Unlock Ocean Leasing Off Northern Marianas
Published Date: 8/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management just released new official maps showing areas off the Northern Mariana Islands where mineral leasing might happen. These updated diagrams help guide future decisions about ocean resources and environmental checks. If you’re involved in ocean energy or mining, keep an eye out—these maps are ready now and more will come later!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
OCS Protraction Diagrams Now Available
If you work in ocean energy or mineral leasing, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) released new WGS84-based Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Official Protraction Diagrams (OPDs) for areas offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. You can download the OPDs from the Offshore Marine Cadastre Navigator now, and BOEM says these diagrams may be used in descriptions of potential OCS mineral lease sales and environmental analysis.
CNMI Offshore Areas Identified for Review
If you live in the Northern Mariana Islands, BOEM published OPDs that depict the OCS areas off CNMI that were identified for further consideration for potential mineral leasing and environmental analysis in BOEM's Area Identification finalized March 18, 2026. The listed diagrams (for example ND54-03, ND55-01, NE55-04, NF55-10, etc.) are dated January 1, 2025 and now are available for review.
Additional CNMI Diagrams Expected Later
BOEM says additional Official Protraction Diagrams for areas offshore the Northern Mariana Islands that were not included in the March 2026 Area Identification are expected to be published in the future. Stakeholders involved in ocean energy, mining, or environmental review should monitor BOEM releases for those later OPDs.
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16839, Notice of Availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2)
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice (PLN) for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2). BOEM publishes this notice pursuant to its regulatory authority under 30 CFR part 581. Pursuant to 30 CFR 581.16, the Secretary of the Interior provides the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the opportunity to review and comment on the PLN within 60 days of publication of this notice of availability. The PLN describes the proposed lease sale's size, timing, and location, along with information to lessees about clauses, lease stipulations, and terms and conditions, such as minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.
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