BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 14, 2023
During the week of July 24 I had the opportunity to talk with staff members from the offices of U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King about a proposal from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to explore the possibility of creating a new National Wildlife Refuge in the High Peaks region of western Maine. Each talked about why we support the process to share more information with and gather feedback from the public about a potential new refuge. Imagine my surprise then when I opened the newspaper one week later to read that Collins, King and Golden had sent a letter to the Fish and Wildlife Service calling for an end to this process. Before it has really even begun! Let’s let the process play out, to ensure that all voices are heard, compromises — if needed — can be made and people and wildlife can benefit. ~ Sally Stockwell, Maine Audubon