119th Congress (2025-2026)
S 282
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act
In Second Chamber
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Bill overview
This bill, the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act, allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire additional land adjacent to the existing Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. It permits continued hunting, fishing, and the gathering of fiddlehead ferns for personal use, while also establishing provisions for public education and safety related to logging operations near the monument. The bill also authorizes the acquisition of land for administrative sites and visitor facilities.
Key provisions
- The Secretary can acquire land within the authorized acquisition area through purchase, donation, or exchange.
- The Secretary may allow continued hunting, fishing, and personal use of fiddlehead ferns.
- The boundaries of the National Monument will be adjusted to include any newly acquired land.
- The Secretary will administer the monument in accordance with existing laws and the Proclamation.
- The Secretary can conduct noncommercial timber harvests as needed.
- The bill allows for the acquisition of up to 10 acres for administrative sites and visitor facilities.
- It mandates the provision of safety education and notification materials for visitors interacting with logging operations.
- The Secretary can collaborate with local communities and Tribal governments for public education.
Who is affected
- Residents of Maine
- Visitors to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
- Tribal Governments
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Angus S., Jr. King
SenateMEIndependent
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
S. 282
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
A BILL
To provide greater regional access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the State of Maine, and for other purposes.
1.Short title
This Act may be cited as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act
.
2.Definitions
In this Act:
(1)Authorized acquisition areaThe term authorized acquisition area means the designated area outside the boundary of the National Monument depicted as
Authorized Acquisition Areaon the map entitled
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Proposed Boundary Adjustment, numbered 686/193,181 and dated March 2024.
(2)National MonumentThe term National Monument means the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the State of Maine established by the Proclamation.
(3)ProclamationThe term Proclamation means Presidential Proclamation Number 9476, dated August 24, 2016 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note).
(4)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
3.Acquisition of additional land for National Monument
(a)BoundaryThe boundaries of the National Monument shall be the boundaries established by the Proclamation.
(b)Acquisition
(1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange, land or interests in land within the authorized acquisition area.
(2)Prohibition on use of eminent domainNothing in this Act authorizes the use of eminent domain to acquire land or an interest in land.
(c)Treatment of acquired land; boundary adjustmentOn acquisition by the Secretary of any land pursuant to subsection (b)—
(1)the land shall be included in the National Monument; and
(2)the boundaries of the National Monument shall be adjusted accordingly.
4.Administration of National Monument
(a)AdministrationThe Secretary shall administer the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument under this Act) in accordance with—
(1)this Act;
(2)the Proclamation; and
(3)the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
(b)Hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation on acquired landThe Secretary shall allow hunting, fishing, or any other outdoor recreation activity on land acquired pursuant to section 3(b)—
(1)if that activity was in existence on the day before the date of acquisition of the land; and
(2)consistent with the management of that activity under the Proclamation.
(c)Collection of fiddlehead ferns
(1)In generalSubject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall allow the gathering by hand of fiddlehead ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) in the National Monument for noncommercial personal use and consumption by the general public.
(2)LimitationIf the Secretary determines that the gathering of fiddlehead ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) under paragraph (1) may adversely affect resources of the National Monument, the Secretary may limit the gathering of fiddlehead ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) under that paragraph in accordance with applicable regulations.
(d)Public educationIn accordance with the mission of the National Park Service, the Secretary shall collaborate with local communities and Tribal governments to educate the public regarding the natural environment and history of land management in the National Monument, including the shaping of that landscape by Native communities and practices, successive generations of timber management, and other activities.
(e)ForestryIn accordance with the management plan for the National Monument, the Secretary may conduct such noncommercial timber harvests as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(f)Protection of existing accessNothing in this Act affects valid existing rights, including existing rights of access through the National Monument for the removal of timber outside the boundaries of the National Monument.
(g)Public safety
(1)In generalThe Secretary shall provide to the public appropriate safety education and notification materials to ensure safe interactions between visitors and logging trucks, equipment, and operations on roads in or adjacent to the National Monument.
(2)ProceduresThe Secretary shall collaborate with affected stakeholders to establish procedures to meet the needs of visitors to the National Monument, logging and trucking operations, and other users of roads in or adjacent to the National Monument to ensure safe interactions between active logging operations and visitors.
5.Administrative sites and visitor facilities
(a)In generalTo facilitate the administration of the National Monument, the Secretary may acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange, not more than 10 acres of land or interests in land, including improvements, for the administration of the National Monument and visitor services outside the boundaries, but within the vicinity, of the National Monument.
(b)AgreementsThe Secretary may enter into agreements with State of Maine, units of Tribal or local government, or private entities—
(1)to carry out this section; and
(2)to develop a cooperative information center for the National Monument.