KODIAK -- A U.S. Senate subcommittee plans to meet in Kodiak on Monday to discuss the need for a strong Coast Guard presence in Alaska amid growing interest in the Arctic.

The hearing was requested by Sen. Lisa Murkowski. She and the chairwoman of the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, Sen. Mary Landrieu, plan to take testimony from the Coast Guard commandant, Adm. Robert Papp, as well as others.

The hearing is scheduled to be held at the Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak.