By Associated Press Leaders in the U.S. Virgin Islands reacted angrily to an order signed Wednesday by President Clinton designating coral reefs circling the islands as national monuments. The islands' top two elected leaders opposed the move, saying the monuments would inflict harm on fishermen who depend on the rich coastal fishing grounds for their livelihoods.
Federal law prevents the commercial use of national monuments.
The reefs in the U.S. Virgin Islands were among seven natural and historical areas designated as national monuments by Clinton. U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Charles Turnbull also protested the designation. Clintons' order created the U.S. Virgin Island National Monument, which includes more than 12,000 acres of coral reefs within a three-mile belt off St. John. The Buck Island Reef National Monument near St. Croix also received acreage under the order. The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorizes the U.S. President to create monuments on government land without congressional approval.