Two federal agencies are hosting public meetings to gather commentary following a proposal submitted last month to expand one of the world’s largest marine conservation areas.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, submitted a proposal to President Barack Obama last month to expand the Papahanau- mokuakea Marine National Monument that would make the monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands the largest protected marine area in the world.

The monument was established in June 2006, and its ecosystem features an array of native marine life including fish species, sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals. The area covers 140,000 square miles of Pacific Ocean spanning 700 miles north of Kauai, an area nearly the size of Montana. If passed, Schatz’s proposal would expand the marine conservatory to more than triple its size at 582,578 square miles.

On Aug. 1-2 the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold public forums on Oahu and Kauai accepting comments and written materials “to hear directly from Hawaii residents before making any decisions” regarding the proposal, Schatz said, according to a news release.

Written comments will also be accepted on those days at specified locations on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island.

The proposal’s announcement June 16 touched off opposing views on the proposed expansion from Native Hawaiian groups, fishing organizations and marine conservation groups.