Ways to Get Involved
The remote location and isolation of the Marianas Trench National Wildlife Refugemake it inaccessible to conduct on-site visits for educational or interpretative purposes. Thus, most educational, and interpretative opportunities are necessarily delivered remotely through publications, off-site educational programs, displays, or other media, to inform and educate the public regarding the coral reef ecosystem and related marine resources and species of the monument and efforts to conserve them. The video “The First Voyage” about the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument showcases the environmental value of the Islands Unit and three northern-most islands of the Marianas and may be available for showing. For more information on these programs in Saipan, contact Park Ranger Jihan Younis at ( (670)234-7207 ext. 4001.
Our Partners
Nature does not recognize human-made boundaries. In order to conserve our natural and cultural resources effectively, we must work with others to bridge these boundaries. Partnerships foster creative solutions to challenging situations and often the results are greater than the sum of the parts.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration work with the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands government, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also values its partnership with Mariana Trench Monument Advisory Council.
Mariana Trench Monument Advisory Council (MTMAC)
The Mariana Trench Monument Advisory Council (MTMAC) is an intergovernmental committee established to provide advice on management plans and management of the Monument. MTMAC membership includes three officials of the CNMI Government, one from the Department of Defense, and one from the US Coast Guard who each serve a 3-year term. The MTMAC members advise the USFWS Monument Superintendent and to the NOAA Fisheries Service, Pacific Monuments Program Manager.
As an intergovernmental committee, the MTMAC is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), in accordance with 41 CFR Part §102-3.40 (g):
Intergovernmental committees. Any committee composed wholly of full-time or permanent part-time officers or employees of the Federal Government and elected officers of State, local and tribal governments (or their designated employees with authority to act on their behalf), acting in their official capacities. However, the purpose of such a committee must be solely to exchange views, information, or advice relating to the management or implementation of Federal programs established pursuant to statute, that explicitly or inherently share intergovernmental responsibilities or administration.
MTMAC Members, Term 3
Representing the CNMI Government:
Francisco (Frank) Rabauliman, Secretary, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs
Richard Salas, Division of Coastal Resources Management Director
Floyd Masga, Special Advisor for the Division of Land and Natural Resources
Representing the U.S. Coast Guard:
Maile Norman, District Fourteen Living Marine Resources Specialist
Representing the Department of Defense:
Rear Admiral Gregory Huffman, Commander, Joint Region Marianas
Meeting Minutes: https://www.fws.gov/media/12-21-23-meeting-notes-mtmac-virtual-mtgpdf-0