Rep. Poliquin Statement on Today’s National Monument Designation Announcement

Read Maine’s 2nd District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin's statement regarding the National Monument Designation Announcement.

“There is a deep need for the people of our State to feel hope that someone or something is going to help improve our economy, regardless of where that help comes from.  I have and will continue to work as hard as possible to create jobs, protect jobs, and improve the economy of our State, working with anyone and everyone.

“As Maine’s Representative in Congress for the 2nd District, I joined Senators Collins and King in sending a letter to President Obama last November expressing reservations about the unilateral decision to designate a national monument in our State.  We jointly raised concerns about the idea and urged the President to listen to local voices.  Several communities most impacted by such a plan voted in non-binding referendums on the proposal in the Katahdin Region and in every instance the people voted in large numbers to oppose the concept.  Additionally, the Maine Legislature passed a bipartisan resolution to officially oppose the idea as well.

While opposed to a unilateral 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.

“All public officials must do everything humanely possible to help ensure local input as to how this new federal land will be managed. Our local job creators—not Washington bureaucrats—know best how to use our working forests and provide proper access for industries to create more jobs including those in the outdoor recreation businesses, like snowmobiling, hunting, rafting, camping and so on.

“I implore the White House to include the land management uses in the attached letter that Senators Collins and King and I sent in November 2015 to make certain the interests of my Katahdin Region constituents are not undermined by this new large federal land footprint in our working forests, respecting the needs of the approximately 4,100 good-paying career jobs supported by the area's working forest while striving to add new tourist industry jobs. Our hardworking families in the immediate neighborhoods of Millinocket, East Millinocket, Medway and Patten deserve nothing less.

“I welcome and encourage the Obama Administration to work with the local communities, the State of Maine and our Congressional Delegation to help create more badly-needed jobs in Central Maine.”