American Samoa’s nonvoting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives wants a review of a federal proposal to expand a marine sanctuary in the territory.

Delegate Eni Faleomavaega has asked the Congressional Research Service to review all issues surrounding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s proposal to expand the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary by adding five additional sites. 

Faleomavaega’s request is in response to a non-binding resolution approved by the territorial Legislature seeking a congressional inquiry into the proposed expansion, which village councils and chiefs have express opposition to. 

The resolution states that adoption of NOAA’s proposed rule will effectively result in the permanent loss of territorial waters to federal jurisdiction.

The public has until Friday to comment on the proposal.