Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke (left) came away impressed with Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on Wednesday/DOI

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke came away Wednesday from tramping and paddling about Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument impressed by the landscape in northern Maine.

The day started with a driving tour on the Katahdin Loop Road with Lucas St. Clair, the son of Roxanne Quimby. It was Ms. Quimby who donated 87,500 acres of her land to the Interior Department last summer so President Obama could designate the national monument that sits in the late-day shadow of Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The drive was followed with a canoe trip on the Penobscot River, and ended with dinner and an overnight stay at the Lunksoos Camp.

“Today, we saw a lot of gorgeous woods and waterways, and I’m very grateful to the family for their generosity,” said Secretary Zinke. “We all share the same goals of conserving the land and prioritizing access for hunting, fishing, recreation, and other traditional uses of the land. As we move forward with the review process, I want to make sure every advocate is confident their voice will be heard. I look forward to working with both state and local stakeholders as we finish the review.”

While he didn't make a firm commitment on the future of the monument, the secretary told reporters he didn't foresee a recommendation to shrink the size of Katahdin Woods and Waters.

The Interior secretary traveled to Maine this week to personally explore the national monument. President Trump in April directed him to look at 27 national monuments established since 1996 to determine whether they were created under the guidelines of the Antiquities Act. That act gives presidents the authority to designate national monuments to protect "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest," but in "the smallest area compatible with proper care and management of the objects to be protected."

President Trump believes President Obama took advantage of his authority under the act to "unilaterally put millions of acres of land and water under strict federal control. Eliminating the ability of the people who actually live in those states to decide how best to use that land."

Last month, Secretary Zinke was in Utah to travel across Bears Ears National Monument and nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. That trip prompted the secretary to recommend to President Trump that Bears Ears should be reduced in size by an unspecified number of acres. 

By July 10, the Interior secretary is to provide the president with a final report on his views of how the last three presidents have used the Antiquities Act and whether any revisions to monuments they designated should be made.