Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act

Key Points

• The bill allows the government to buy more land for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine, but only from people who want to sell. The government is strictly forbidden from using 'eminent domain' to force anyone to give up their property.
• People will still be allowed to hunt, fish, and enjoy the outdoors on any new land added to the monument. These activities can continue as long as they were already happening there before the government bought the land.
• Visitors will be allowed to pick fiddlehead ferns by hand for their own personal use and eating. However, the government can limit this if they find that too many people are picking them and it is hurting the environment.
• The National Park Service will work with local towns and Tribal governments to teach the public about the area's history. This includes how Native communities and the timber industry have shaped the landscape over many generations.
• The plan includes new safety rules to help tourists and logging trucks share the roads safely. It also allows the government to buy up to 10 acres of land nearby to build a visitor center or office to help people explore the area.

Impact Analysis

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