There are already many public comments opposing any move by the federal government to remove previous presidential designation of the five marine monuments in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, such as the Rose Atoll in American Samoa.

“Rose Atoll must be protected as an uninhabited wildlife refuge, as it is home to an immense fish population, is a critical nesting site for two species of threatened turtles, and is home to a vast majority of the seabird population of American Samoa,” wrote one commenter, who was not identified by name, on comments filed online. “Rose Atoll is also the site of the last remaining Pisonia forest in Samoa.”

Also been reviewed by the US Interior Department is the Pacific Remote Islands Marine Monument (PRIMM) in the Pacific Ocean. Restrictions on PRIMM have been criticized by the US fleet, which argued that this has been traditional fishing grounds for many years.

However, the comment on the Rose Atoll argued that PRIMM is “one of the most remarkable areas in the Pacific Ocean and home to a number of unique species found nowhere else.”

US President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order on Apr. 26 directing the Interior Secretary to review land and marine monuments throughout the US and its territories that were designated by previous presidents going back to 1996.

In a separate executive order on Apr. 28, 2017, titled “Implementing An America-First Offshore Energy Strategy”, it directs the US Commerce Department to lead the review of Marine National Monuments in consultation with the Interior Secretary.

“Implementing An America-First Offshore Energy Strategy” executive order encourages energy exploration and production, including on the Outer Continental Shelf, in order to maintain the Nation's position as a global energy leader and foster energy security and resilience for the benefit of the American people, while ensuring that any such activity is safe and environmentally responsible.

Early this month, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the opening of the first ever-formal public comment period for review of 22 land monument and 5 marine monuments including Rose Atoll and PRIMM.

The comment period official opened May 12th on federal portal www.regulations.gov until July this year.

As of yesterday morning more than 7,000 public comments have been submitted online, with a vast majority of them voicing their opposition to the re-designation of both land and marine monuments.

About 10 comments specifically mentioned PRIMM and Rose Atoll including another commenter, who identified herself as “Joan Hearing”, who stated that she has been visiting America's national monuments beginning as a child in the 1950's.

“In particular I have a concern regarding Rose Atoll, American Samoa. America can no longer foul the waters of this planet's oceans seeking short term gain,” Hearing says. “The thought of having even part of any of these monuments destroyed in order to extract minerals, oil, gas, timber, etc. shows short sighted greed of those who would suggest this idea.”

“Americans must leave our fossil fuel dependent lifestyle behind, instead embracing renewable energy sources, which currently are employing many more people than oil and gas, without polluting our world and leaving it capable of sustaining life,” she says.

Other commenters urge Zinke to keep not only the land monuments but the marine monuments as they are right now.

“Our marine monuments must be protected for future generations of scientists, tourists, and others. An America-First energy strategy should be focused in the renewable energy sector instead of threatening the most awesome natural areas our world has to offer,” said another commenter.

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT — CLOSES IN JULY 2017

Comments may be submitted online at http://www.regulations.gov by entering “DOI-2017-0002” in the Search bar and clicking “Search,” or by mail to Monument Review, MS-1530, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.