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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 9 S E P T E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 6 FALL IS THE PERFECT SEASON TO EVALUATE YOUR OUTDOOR LIGHTING FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT EFFICIENCYMAINE.COM 866-376-2463 / SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY Incentives available for high-efficiency LEDs. New national monument praised and criticized After years of debate, Burt's Bees co-founder and philanthropist Roxanne Quimby's donation of 87,000 acres in Maine's North Woods became federal land, with President Barack Obama authorizing the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument on Aug. 24. The response was swift — and divided. Gov. Paul LePage: "President Obama is once again taking unilateral action against the will of the people, this time the citizens of rural Maine. The Legislature passed a resolution opposing a National Monument in the North Woods, members of Maine's congressional delegation opposed it and local citizens voted against it repeatedly. Despite this lack of support, the Quimby family used high-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C., to go around the people of Maine and have President Obama use his authority to designate this area a national monument. This once again demonstrates that rich, out-of-state liberals can force their unpopu- lar agenda on the Maine people against their will." U.S. Sen. Angus King: "It is critical to see this as an opportunity fully compatible with our existing forest products industry, including potential growth in woods-related businesses … For some, this des- ignation is welcome, while others will meet it with skepticism or outright opposition — but for all of us it is a change, and change is always hard. That is why I think it is important that we respect both the excitement as well as the concerns that will follow this announcement." U.S. Sen. Susan Collins: "This monument designation gives rise to a host of questions ranging from simple logistical matters to fundamental questions such as what will the impact be on taxpayers and whether the National Park Service, with its nearly $12 billion maintenance backlog, can afford to manage this new federal acquisition. While the Quimby family's promise of a $40 million endowment is generous, it is diffi cult to see how that amount can possibly cover the startup and ongoing costs of the monument area." U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree: "The creation of a new national monument will bring economic development to the area and benefi t all of Maine. It will bring mil- lions of visitors to this beautiful and special part of our state, and at the same time preserve traditional uses like hunting and snowmobiling." U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin: "While opposed to a uni- lateral decision, ignoring the votes in the local towns, the Maine Legislature and Congress, I will continue to work with everyone to move this project forward in the right way in order to build a stronger economy that creates more and better paying jobs in the Katahdin region and in Maine." Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, Executive Director Dana Doran: "While we are disappointed with the decision to proceed with establishment of a national monument in the Katahdin region, we will focus our efforts on ensuring that this decision does not cost jobs in Maine's logging industry." Environment Maine, Director Laura Dorle: "With dense forest, roaming bears and moose, the threatened Canada lynx, and streams and lakes throughout nearly 88,000 acres of land donated from the Quimby family, the new Katahdin Woods and Waters Monument will provide plenty of opportunities for camping, hunting, fi shing, boating and more — and help create hundreds of jobs to boot." Natural Resources Council of Maine, Executive Director Lisa Pohlmann: "What a great gift this would be to the people of Maine and to the nation. This land contains a stunningly beautiful collection of mountains, forests, waters and wildlife. And a national monument would provide badly needed economic benefi ts to the Katahdin region." It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an It is critical to see this as an opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible opportunity fully compatible with our existing forest products industry, including potential growth in woods- related businesses. — U.S. Sen. Angus King

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