Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument | |
---|---|
Location | North Central Maine, United States |
Nearest city | Bangor |
Coordinates | 45°58′13″N 68°37′10″W / 45.970362°N 68.619336°W |
Area | 87,563 acres (35,435 ha) |
Established | Monument: August 24, 2016 |
Governing body | National Park Service |
Website | www |
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is a
History
In December, 2020, the Park Service received funding to purchase an additional 3,000–4,000 acres (4.7–6.3 sq mi) of land.[9]
Response
Opposition
Initially, many people opposed the monument, with some concerned about federal intrusion into the lands of Northern Maine. One of the most vocal opponents to the creation of the national monument was Paul LePage, who became the state's Governor in January 2011. He called the monument "unilateral action against the will of the people, this time the citizens of rural Maine."[10]
It was suggested that President Donald Trump could act to reverse the creation of the monument, a move local opponents wanted him to consider. Trump was critical of the monument's creation during 2016 campaign appearances in Maine. Supporters of the monument called the potential abolition a "destructive step".[11] United States Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, did not recommend to President Trump in a December 2017 report for the monument to be shrunk or its creation reversed, instead advising that the monument's management and development plans be slightly changed.[12] Trump ultimately did not make any changes to the monument.
Support
Local polling showed that a majority of local residents and businesses supported the monument's creation as a driver of economic opportunity in a region with decreasing industry.[10] Many local business owners have since praised the order. A 2021 National Park Service report showed that visitors to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in 2020 spent $2.7 million in communities near the park, with a cumulative local economic benefit of $3.3 million.[13]
Before the designation, U.S. Senators from Maine, Angus King and Susan Collins, wrote a letter to President Obama outlining “serious reservations” about the proposal.[14] Their opinions evolved into great support in years since.
In 2022, Senator King introduced a bill cosponsored by Senator Collins to expand the National Monument.[15]
Human settlements
Human settlement in the region dates back 11,000 years, with Native peoples having relied on the woods and its waterways for their livelihood and even transportation. The Penobscot Indian Nation, along with other Wabanaki tribes, still regard the Penobscot River as an important landmark of their culture.
The first recorded European exploration of the region occurred in 1793 with a survey commissioned by the
The Maine Woods were made famous by the writings of
Geology
The
See also
References
- National Archives.
- ^ "Obama signs order to create national monument in Maine's North Woods". Portland Press Herald. August 24, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ Young, Susan (July 10, 2001). "Maine land purchased with eye on U.S. Park". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Sambides Jr., Nick (July 18, 2011). "Roxanne Quimby says national park would create tourism jobs". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Kevin (November 29, 2015). "A national park or a national monument? North Woods groups shift focus". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Sambides Jr., Nick (August 23, 2016). "Roxanne Quimby transfers 87,000 acres planned for national monument to US government". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
- ^ Higgins, A.J. "It's Official: Obama Declares Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument" (August 24, 2016). Maine Public Broadcasting.
- ^ Miller, Kevin (December 13, 2020). "Potential expansion opportunity for Katahdin Woods and Waters". Press Herald. Portland, Maine. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
- ^ a b Valencia, Milton J. (August 28, 2016). "Opinions still split on tourism in Katahdin woods region". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 29, 2016.
- ^ Miller, Kevin (November 12, 2016). "Could Trump undo the new Katahdin-area national monument?". Portland Press Herald. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "Trump's interior secretary recommends against changes at Maine monument". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
- ^ Patten, Mailing Address: PO Box 446; Us, ME 04765 Phone: 207-456-6001 Contact. "Tourism to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument creates $3.3 million in Economic Benefits - Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ https://www.latimes.com/people/associated-press (August 24, 2016). "Maine land donated by Burt's Bees founder is new national monument". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: External link in
(help)|last=
- ^ "King Introduces Bill to Improve Access to Katahdin Woods and Waters |". www.king.senate.gov. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ National Archives.