Legislation working its way through the U.S. Senate could lead to expansion of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument by nearly 43,000 acres/NPS file

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine could grow by nearly 43,000 acres under legislation the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources will consider next week.

Sponsored by Maine's two senators, Angus King, an Independent, and Susan Collins, a Republican, the measure would allow the Interior Department to purchase the acreage from willing sellars; taking lands through eminent domain would not be permitted. King called the proposal good for tourism and the economy of surrounding communities that have struggled through the decline of the logging industry in Maine.

“The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act would build on the monument’s successes and let more people experience this Maine treasure," said King when he introduced the bill in August. "The expansions the bill authorizes would allow for a smoother entry into the park, bring visitors closer to the heart of the Millinocket community, and further expand the Katahdin region’s tourism economy. It’s an important step to support the future of the monument and Maine’s outdoor recreation heritage. I’m grateful for the local leaders who have helped develop this bill, and hope it can continue to receive bipartisan support across Congress.”

President Obama, motivated by Roxanne Quimby and her family, established the monument in 2016 through his authority under the Antiquities Act. The family donated 87,563 acres to the government for the monument. The offer included included $20 million on the day the unit was established for an endowment for the park, and promise to raise another $20 million.

At the time, there long had been efforts to create a new unit of the National Park System in northern Maine. Once upon a time there were calls to create a 3.2-million-acre national park. As envisioned, it would have been one of the country's largest national parks, larger by almost a third than Yellowstone National Park. But the plan was not well-received, in large part because some opposed Quimby's offer to donate 150,000 acres of her own lands towards a park.

That proposal evolved into a proposed Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park and National Recreation Area, which would offer a blend of allowed activities and, according to proponents, involve less than 1 percent of the state's timber resources. Still, strong opposition led to a significantly downsized vision, one that even lost the "National Park" cachet in favor for the somewhat lesser "National Monument" attribution. The change was part of a strategy that would allow Obama to designate the monument without congressional action.

Now King and Collins want to expand the monument by roughly half.

“With vast acres of forests, scenic trails, pristine rivers, and breathtaking views of Mount Katahdin, KWW is a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts,” said Collins. “By facilitating the creation of a second entrance, this commonsense bill would allow more visitors to explore the monument more easily from the south, while preserving existing access to hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. Additionally, by enhancing the accessibility of KWW, this bill would provide a boost to Millinocket, East Millinocket, and other local communities, helping to create jobs.  I have supported efforts to make KWW a success, and this legislation would help the Katahdin region thrive and chart a better economic future.”

The legislation would allow for the monument to expand to the south.

King chairs the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which next Wednesday will consider the proposal, and others to establish the Springfield Race Riot National Monument in the State of Illinois; to establish the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture National Historic Park in Missouri; to amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate certain segments of the Housatonic River in the State of Connecticut as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; to reauthorize the National Park Foundation; to amend the National Trails System Act to include national discovery trails and designate the American Discovery Trail; and to redesignate the Robert E. Lee Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery as the "Arlington House National Historic Site."