A week ahead of an anticipated decision by the Trump administration that could eliminate the national monument designation on Berryessa Snow Mountain and similar locations, the Joint Economic Committee Democrats released an economic impact statement. “From the Mariana Trench in the Pacific to the Río Grande del Norte in New Mexico, national monuments are not only a cherished part of American heritage, but a key contributor to local economies that are supported by outdoor recreation,” U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M, and ranking member of the committee, said in the statement released Monday.

As the Trump Administration nears a decision on the future status of national parks and monuments, including Katahdin Woods And Waters here in Maine, Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee of Congress are touting the economic benefits of these sites.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), ranking member of the Joint Economic Committee, blamed Trump for weak wage growth. "After nearly eight months on the job, President Trump has failed to come up with a cogent plan to create good-paying jobs and increase wages,” Henrich said in a written statement. “As a result, wages are barely exceeding inflation, and more than 100,000 workers have been laid off as companies continue to close American operations and ship jobs overseas.”

While more Americans are attending and completing degree programs, “sharp divisions” in access remain “by income level, race, ethnicity, and geography.”