S.Amdt. 6688

SA 6688, submitted by Mr. King, is an amendment to bill S. 4784. Its purpose is to add a section regarding the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access.

The amendment aims to add the following to the bill:

• Land Acquisition: It allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within a designated "authorized acquisition area" through donations, exchanges, or purchases from willing sellers. The use of eminent domain is prohibited. Any acquired land will be added to the National Monument and the boundaries will be adjusted.

• Administration and Use: The Secretary will manage the monument according to the Proclamation and National Park System laws. The amendment ensures that:

  • Hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation are allowed on acquired land if they existed before the acquisition.
  • The general public can gather fiddlehead ferns by hand for noncommercial personal use, though the Secretary can limit this if it harms resources.
  • Noncommercial timber harvests may be conducted based on the management plan.
  • Valid existing rights, such as access for removing timber outside monument boundaries, remain unaffected.

• Safety and Education: The Secretary must collaborate with Tribal governments and local communities for public education on the environment and history. Additionally, the Secretary must provide safety materials and work with stakeholders to ensure safe interactions between visitors and logging operations on roads.

• Facilities: The Secretary may acquire up to 10 acres of land near the monument for visitor services and administration. The Secretary is also authorized to enter into agreements with private entities, the State of Maine, or local and Tribal governments to develop a cooperative information center and carry out this section.