Saving Seafood

Congressman Don Young Introduces Legislation to Block Presidential Attempts to Lock Away Alaska’s Oceans

January 29, 2021 — The following was released by The Office of Congressman Don Young (R-AK):

Today, Alaska Congressman Don Young introduced legislation to prevent the future closure of oceans from economic and recreational activity, including resource development and fishing, without the approval of Congress. The introduction of the Marine Access and State Transparency (MAST) Act comes as President Joe Biden breaks modern records for issuing Executive Orders, particularly concerning Alaska.

“The Obama years were rife with massive expansions of executive power, and it has become clear that President Biden has taken a cue from his former boss. President Biden’s first two weeks on the job have broken records for Executive Orders, and we have already seen the President attempt to cripple Alaska’s energy sector and destroy good-paying jobs. Congress must assert its power and keep him from doing the same to our fishing and water recreation industries,” said Congressman Don Young. “I am proud to introduce the MAST Act, which will empower Congress – not the President – to make determinations relating to the designation of marine sanctuaries. This is not just about President Biden, but about future Presidents as well. Expanding marine sanctuaries without proper engagement with local communities, business leaders, and Alaska Native entities could cripple industries and harm the families they support. No President should unilaterally close off even one square mile of land or ocean without first seeking approval from Congress. I will continue working hard to ensure that our state is open for business, and that Alaskans have a seat at the table in future debates over sanctuary designations.”

Congressmen Jones & Young File Bill to Prevent Marine Monument Designations Without Congressional Consent

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – September 23, 2015 – The following was released by the Office of Congressman Walter Jones:

Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-North Carolina) and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) have cosponsored H.R. 330, the Marine Access and State Transparency (MAST) Act.  The bill would prevent President Barack Obama, or any future president, from unilaterally designating offshore areas as “national monuments” and restricting the public’s ability to fish there.  Instead, the bill would require a president to get the approval of Congress and the legislature of each state within 100 nautical miles of the monument before any “monument” designation could take effect.

The bill comes in response to increasing speculation that President Obama may follow the example of his predecessor George W. Bush and unilaterally designate large swaths of coastal America as “national monuments.”  In 2006, President Bush short circuited the established process of public consultation and input and unilaterally designated 84 million acres off the coast of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as a national monument. The new monument, which is larger than 46 of America’s 50 states, was then closed to fishing.    

“Presidents from both parties have abused their monument designation authority for far too long,” said Congressman Jones.  “No president should be allowed to just lock up millions of acres of fishing grounds by fiat, with no public input whatsoever.  Frankly, it’s un-American, and it must be stopped.  I am proud to be the first member of Congress to join my friend Don Young in fighting for this legislation, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to get behind it.” 

For additional information, please contact Maria Jeffrey in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or at maria.jeffrey@mail.house.gov.

Read the release from Congressman Jones online

CONGRESSMEN JONES & YOUNG FILE BILL TO PREVENT MARINE MONUMENT DESIGNATIONS WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT

WASHINGTON (Saving Seafood) – September 23, 2015 – The following was released by the Office of Congressman Walter Jones:

Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-North Carolina) and Congressman Don Young (R-Alaska) have cosponsored H.R. 330, the Marine Access and State Transparency (MAST) Act.  The bill would prevent President Barack Obama, or any future president, from unilaterally designating offshore areas as “national monuments” and restricting the public’s ability to fish there.  Instead, the bill would require a president to get the approval of Congress and the legislature of each state within 100 nautical miles of the monument before any “monument” designation could take effect.

The bill comes in response to increasing speculation that President Obama may follow the example of his predecessor George W. Bush and unilaterally designate large swaths of coastal America as “national monuments.”  In 2006, President Bush short circuited the established process of public consultation and input and unilaterally designated 84 million acres off the coast of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as a national monument. The new monument, which is larger than 46 of America’s 50 states, was then closed to fishing.    

“Presidents from both parties have abused their monument designation authority for far too long,” said Congressman Jones.  “No president should be allowed to just lock up millions of acres of fishing grounds by fiat, with no public input whatsoever.  Frankly, it’s un-American, and it must be stopped.  I am proud to be the first member of Congress to join my friend Don Young in fighting for this legislation, and I urge the rest of my colleagues to get behind it.” 

For additional information, please contact Maria Jeffrey in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or at maria.jeffrey@mail.house.gov.

Read the release from Congressman Jones online