Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act
Officially: “Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act” Read the full text
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1Short title
This section would give the Act the short title "Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act."
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1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act .
2Definitions
This section would define four terms used throughout the Act. "Authorized acquisition area" would mean the specific area outside the current boundary of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument that is shown as the "Authorized Acquisition Area" on a named map (numbered 686/193,181, dated March 2024). "National Monument" would mean the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine, as established by Presidential Proclamation Number 9476 (dated August 24, 2016). "Proclamation" would mean that same Presidential Proclamation Number 9476. "Secretary" would mean the Secretary of the Interior.
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2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Authorized acquisition area The term authorized acquisition area means the designated area outside the boundary of the National Monument depicted as Authorized Acquisition Area on the map entitled Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Proposed Boundary Adjustment , numbered 686/193,181 and dated March 2024. (2) National Monument The term National Monument means the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the State of Maine established by the Proclamation. (3) Proclamation The term Proclamation means Presidential Proclamation Number 9476, dated August 24, 2016 ( 54 U.S.C. 320301 note). (4) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
3Acquisition of additional land for National Monument
This section would keep the National Monument's boundaries as the boundaries set by the 2016 Proclamation. It would let the Secretary of the Interior acquire land or interests in land within the authorized acquisition area (the area shown on the named map) by purchase from a willing seller, by donation, or by exchange. Nothing in the Act would authorize the use of eminent domain to acquire land or an interest in land, a bar that applies to the whole Act and is not limited to this acquisition. When the Secretary acquires land this way, that land would automatically become part of the National Monument and the Monument's boundaries would be adjusted to include it.
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3. Acquisition of additional land for National Monument (a) Boundary The boundaries of the National Monument shall be the boundaries established by the Proclamation. (b) Acquisition (1) In general Subject 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 domain Nothing in this Act authorizes the use of eminent domain to acquire land or an interest in land. (c) Treatment of acquired land; boundary adjustment On 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.
4Administration of National Monument
This section would require the Secretary to administer the National Monument, including any land added to it under this Act, following this Act, the 2016 Proclamation, and the laws that generally apply to National Park System units. On land acquired under section 3, the Secretary would have to allow hunting, fishing, or other outdoor recreation activities, but only if the activity was already happening on the day before the land was acquired and only in a way consistent with how that activity is managed under the Proclamation. The Secretary would have to allow the public to gather fiddlehead ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) by hand in the National Monument for noncommercial personal use and consumption; however, if the Secretary determines that this gathering may adversely affect the Monument's resources, the Secretary could limit fern gathering in accordance with applicable regulations. The Secretary would have to work with local communities and Tribal governments to educate the public about the National Monument's natural environment and land-management history, including how Native communities and practices shaped the landscape and how successive generations managed timber there. The Secretary could conduct noncommercial timber harvests that the Secretary determines are necessary, consistent with the Monument's management plan. The Act would not affect any valid existing rights, including existing rights to cross through the National Monument to remove timber located outside the Monument's boundaries. The Secretary would have to give the public appropriate safety education and notification materials so that visitors and logging trucks, equipment, and operations can interact safely on roads in or near the Monument, and would have to work with affected stakeholders to set up procedures that let visitors, logging and trucking operations, and other road users interact safely.
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4. Administration of National Monument (a) Administration The 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 land The 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 general Subject 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) Limitation If 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 education In 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) Forestry In 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 access Nothing 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 general The 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) Procedures The 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.
5Administrative sites and visitor facilities
This section would let the Secretary acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange, no more than 10 acres of land or interests in land (including any improvements on it) outside the National Monument's boundaries but near it, to be used for administering the Monument and for visitor services. The Secretary could enter into agreements with the State of Maine, Tribal or local government units, or private entities to carry out this section and to develop a cooperative information center for the National Monument.
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5. Administrative sites and visitor facilities (a) In general To 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) Agreements The 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. Passed the Senate June 18, 2025. Secretary
Where it is
In the Senate.