“This is a small, but important step forward in developing the full potential of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument,” said Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
“The people of the Northern Mariana Islands were supportive of establishment of the Monument and expect its development could have a positive economic and environmental affect.
“I am sure that the public will be fully engaged in this process at every step of the way.”
Sablan is Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs, which has jurisdiction over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA.
The federal agencies also plan an environmental assessment that will look at the impact of various management alternatives.
Additional information is available at:
• http://www.fws.gov/marianastrenchmarinemonument/, and
• http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/MNM/mnm_index.html
Comments are due by May 5, 2011 and should be sent to Heidi Hirsh, Natural Resource Management Specialist, NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. E-mail: [email protected].
