Action Alert: Attend a Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Listening Session

by Maine Audubon Staff

Action Alert, Policy & Advocacy ·

 

npsNow is your chance to share your hopes, ideas, and concerns for the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

This September, the National Park Service (NPS) will host a series of public discussions on the future of the new monument. This is the start of a three year process to complete the monument’s management plan that will guide the direction of future work and activities.

I hope you can attend one of the upcoming NPS listening sessions and help shape the overarching vision for the monument lands.

Upcoming Community Listening Sessions:

Staceyville, ME
September 15, 6:30-8:30 pm
Katahdin Middle/High School

Medway, ME
September 20, 6:30-8:30 pm
Medway Middle School

Millinocket, ME
September 22, 6:30-8:30 pm
Stearns High School

Bangor/Orono, ME
September 29
Location to be determined

Maine Audubon will be urging the NPS to protect and enhance:

  • Riparian habitat along more than 30 miles of rivers and streams and at least seven ponds.
  • Habitat for over 75 species of birds, including migratory forest birds that depend on this internationally significant area as their primary breeding habitat.
  • Mature forest habitat structure to support those forest birds and other wildlife like American marten that depend on or use more mature forest habitat.
  • Extensive wetlands, including Inland Waterfowl and Wading Bird Habitat designated as �Significant Wildlife Habitat� by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
  • Critical habitat for the federally endangered Canada lynx.
  • Critical and important fish habitat � especially for wild eastern brook trout and endangered Atlantic salmon.
  • Nine rare Natural Communities identified.
  • Rare aquatic species that require clean cold water, including species of freshwater mussel, dragonfly, and turtle.
  • Landscape connections, linking the lands with other conservation lands including Baxter State Park, the International Appalachian Trail, the Debsconeag Wilderness, the 100-mile Wilderness, and the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.

It’s important that the National Park Service�hears from you! �Please share your views about the future of the new national monument�at one of the listening sessions to be held across the state this September.

Thanks for your support,

JenniferJenn Burns Gray
Maine Audubon Staff Attorney and Advocate
jgray@maineaudubon.org
(207) 781-2330 x224

 

 

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