Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act
The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act would allow the Secretary of the Interior to acquire additional land outside the current Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument boundary within a defined “Authorized Acquisition Area.” Land acquired would become part of the Monument and the boundary could be adjusted accordingly. The act prohibits the use of eminent domain for these acquisitions. It also sets conditions for how the added land is managed, including preserving existing hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation uses that existed before acquisition (to the extent consistent with the Proclamation establishing the Monument), and allowing noncommercial, personal gathering of fiddlehead ferns with possible limits if resource protection requires. The bill emphasizes public education, the possibility of noncommercial forestry, protection of existing access rights, and safety coordination with logging operations. It also authorizes a limited amount of administrative land (up to 10 acres) outside the Monument’s boundaries to support administration and visitor services, and permits agreements with Maine, tribal or local governments, or private entities to run an information center or related activities.
Key Points
- 1Authorized Acquisition Area: Establishes a defined outside area from which the Secretary may acquire land or interests in land to be added to the Monument, with boundaries adjusted to include them.
- 2No Eminent Domain: Acquisitions must be voluntary (purchase, donation, or exchange); eminent domain is not authorized.
- 3Boundary Adjustment: Acquired land becomes part of the National Monument, with the Monument’s boundaries adjusted accordingly.
- 4Existing Uses on Acquired Land: Hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation existing before acquisition may continue on the new land, as long as they align with the Proclamation and management rules.
- 5Fiddlehead Ferns: Allows hand-gathering of fiddlehead ferns for noncommercial personal use; the Secretary may limit gathering if it harms resources.
- 6Public Education and Forestry: Requires public education on natural and historical land management; may permit noncommercial timber harvests as needed for the management plan.
- 7Public Safety: Establishes safety education and procedures related to interactions between visitors and logging operations on roads adjacent to the Monument; involves stakeholders to balance safety with use.
- 8Protection of Existing Access: Ensures that existing access rights and timber removal rights outside the Monument’s boundaries are not affected.
- 9Administrative Sites (up to 10 acres): Allows acquisition of up to 10 additional acres outside the Monument boundaries but nearby, to support administration and visitor services; can be used for improvements.
- 10Cooperative Arrangements: Enables agreements with the State of Maine, tribal or local governments, or private entities to carry out the administration provision and to develop a cooperative information center.