Northern Mariana Is

Forestry legislation

The Northern Mariana Islands comprise a commonwealth in political union with the United States. The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) are self-governing, although the Commonwealth is under the United States judicial system and most US laws apply. The CNMI has a bicameral commonwealth legislature, which passes legislation applicable to the entire Commonwealth (the Commonwealth Code), as well as senatorial district delegations, which are authorized to enact local laws applicable only in the four individual senatorial districts. Of significance are several local laws establishing wildlife conservation areas, for example, at Sabana Heights on Rota island. The 1978 Constitution of the Northern Marianas Islands provides an overarching doctrine for environmental and forest management by noting that each person has the right to a clean and healthy public environment in all areas, including the land, air and water. The Constitution also makes provisions for protected areas adding that, the islands of Maug, Uracas, Asuncion, Guguan and other islands specified by law shall be maintained as uninhabited places and used only for the preservation and protection of natural resources.

There is, however, presently no specific Commonwealth law relating to forest management. The principal environmental legislation is the Commonwealth Environmental Protection Act (Public Law 3-28). Public Law 1-8 empowers the Department of Natural Resources to protect and enhance natural resources. The Fish, Game and Endangered Species Act (Public Law 2-51) authorizes the designation of endangered species and critical habitat and contains fish and wildlife regulations. Broad land management provisions are also incorporated in the Coastal Resources Management Act (Public Law 3-47 1983) and the Coastal Resources Rules and Regulations of 1990.

last updated: Monday, October 1, 2007