Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Area ID Outline

On March 16th, 2026, BOEM announced the completion of Area Identification, or Area ID, for potential critical minerals leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The Area ID defines specific areas that will undergo further environmental analysis to assess their suitability for possible leasing. The Area ID decision was informed by industry nominations, public comments, and feedback from local government and stakeholders. The Area ID is not a decision to lease, but a planning step that ensures future decisions are grounded in environmental analysis, public input, and intergovernmental coordination.For more information please visit https://www.boem.gov/cnmi