Ranking Member Grijalva Applauds the Designation of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine

Press Release

Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva hailed today's designation of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument as a success for Maine, for the country, and for the Antiquities Act, which remains one of the most important conservation tools in American history. The monument's designation comes a day ahead of the Aug. 25 Centennial marking the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, which is expected to manage the newly created monument.

"This land needs to be preserved, not politicized, and today's announcement is the right way to achieve that preservation," Grijalva said.

President Obama's designation of the monument comes weeks after Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) held a public forum in the region that included no witnesses favoring the monument's designation. Bishop cited time constraints, among other factors, in explaining the lack of balance at the event, which occurred despite the fact that the Committee was not considering any bill related to the monument.

NPS Director Jonathan Jarvis held a public forum in May to weigh the pros and cons of the monument, initially proposed by the family of landowner Roxanne Quimby for an area east of Baxter State Park.

"As a private citizen, you have the right to donate your property for a use or a cause you believe in, and that's what the Quimby family has done here," Grijalva said. "Much of our National Park System was created through this kind of philanthropy, and anyone claiming to revere property rights should celebrate today's announcement. We owe the Quimby family and President Obama a heartfelt "thank you.'"

The monument will cover approximately 87,500 acres of pristine forest.

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