MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • August 10, 2022
On August 4, U.S. Sen. Angus King, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on National Parks, introduced legislation to add approximately 43,000 acres to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument near Baxter State Park in Maine. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Susan Collins, would improve access to the monument from the south near Millinocket. Maine Environmental News has learned that the owner of the property that would expand the monument is Sylvan Timberlands, an affiliate of Conservation Resources LLC, which a decade ago bought forestlands in Maine formerly owned by Huber Resources Corp. In addition to the land expansion, S.4784, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act, would allow the National Park Service to acquire or lease facilities for a park headquarters, offices, and visitor services outside the boundary of the monument. King said he plans to hold a hearing on the bill later this year.