Angelo Villagomez

This fictional story was written in response to the recent Request for Information (RFI) to begin deep sea mining near the Mariana Trench, one of the most unique and fragile ecosystems on Earth, and my ancestral backyard. It follows the beats of every Hallmark Christmas movie ever made, where someone from the city goes to the countryside and has a change of heart thanks to the power of Christmas.  I had fun writing it. For those who want to learn more about this complex issue without the power of the Christmas Spirit, Friends of the Mariana Trench created a resource document to help the community understand the science, economics, and cultural implications of mining in the Trench. We encourage our followers to participate in the public comment period. The most impactful thing you can do is write a unique comment and submit it to the federal register . You can also sign our petition for individuals and our letter for organizations . Chapter One Miller blinked against the darkne...

On November 12, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) published a Request for Information and Interest (RFI) for “ Commercial Leasing for Outer Continental Shelf Minerals Offshore the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) .” This is the first step in a process that could lead to deep-sea mining in U.S. Pacific waters. The RFI opens a 30-day public comment period, closing December 12, 2025, though the governors of Guam and CNMI have requested a 120-day extension, citing the need for more time to assess environmental, cultural, and economic impacts. READ & BOOKMARK: Mariana Trench Deep Sea Mining Educational Resources The proposed RFI area covers over 35 million acres -- an area the size of New York state -- just east of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, with depths ranging from 3,700 to 25,100 feet. BOEM is seeking input across 18 categories, including potential effects on marine ecosystems, Indigenous communities, fisheries, cultural resour...