PORTLAND, Maine - A subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee is objecting to the way President Barack Obama created a national marine monument off the coast of New England last year.
The Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans held an oversight hearing on the creation and management of marine monuments on Wednesday. Members of the subcommittee say the creation of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument lacked significant local input and scientific scrutiny.
The monument is made up of nearly 5,000 square miles of underwater canyons and mountains. A group of commercial fishermen have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of its creation.
The subcommittee is chaired by Utah Republican Rep. Rob Bishop. The subcommittee issued a statement on Wednesday that said the monument negatively impacts New England fishing communities.