The CNMI Area ID and environmental analysis follow the publication of the Request for Information and Interest on ## Nov. 12 , 2025. BOEM reviewed available OCS mineral resource information, environmental data, and comments and indications of interest received from stakeholders, Indigenous communities, territorial governments, industry representatives, and the public. More than 65,000 public submissions were received, including both comments opposing and supporting the advancement of offshore critical mineral activities in and around an area offshore CNMI defined in the RFI. BOEM will now prepare an Environmental Assessment to analyze the action of leasing and authorization of preliminary activities. Preliminary activities are defined as actions that have no significant adverse impact on natural resources and only allow a leaseholder to conduct bathymetric, geological, geophysical, mapping, and other surveys necessary to develop a future comprehensive Delineation, Testing, and/or Mining Plan.…