Angus King (I-ME)
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act
A bill from an independent
Last activity — Subcommittee Hearings Held
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate voice vote
- Awaiting House
- In House committee
The Senate by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act," aims to increase regional access to the National Monument in Maine. It allows the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land within a specific authorized area through purchase, donation, or exchange. Once acquired, this land will be included in the National Monument boundaries. The Act also outlines rules for outdoor recreation, the gathering of fiddlehead ferns, and forestry. Additionally, it provides for public education and the potential acquisition of land for visitor services.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +3
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The Act emphasizes collaborating with Tribal governments for public education regarding their role in shaping the landscape.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The Act allows for the expansion of the National Monument boundaries to protect more land.
- Scored +2
Would people in rural areas be better off under this?
The Act provides for continued access to outdoor recreation and maintains existing rights for timber removal.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Land Acquisition Options: The Secretary can acquire land through purchase, donation, or exchange from willing sellers, which avoids the use of eminent domain (Section 3(b)).
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Continued Outdoor Activities: People who participated in hunting, fishing, or other outdoor recreation activities existing before the land was acquired may continue those activities (Section 4(b)).
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Personal Use of Resources: The general public is allowed to gather fiddlehead ferns by hand for noncommercial personal use and consumption (Section 4(c)).
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Educational Opportunities: The Secretary will work with local communities and Tribal governments to educate the public about the natural environment, history, and land management (Section 4(d)).
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Protection of Economic Rights: The Act ensures that valid existing rights, such as those used for removing timber outside the monument boundaries, are not affected (Section 4(f)).
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Public Safety Measures: The Secretary is tasked with providing safety education and working with stakeholders to ensure safe interactions between visitors and logging operations (Section 4(g)).
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Improved Visitor Services: The Secretary may acquire up to 10 acres of land to help with monument administration and visitor services (Section 5(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Gathering: The Secretary has the authority to limit the gathering of fiddlehead ferns if it is determined that the activity may adversely affect the monument's resources (Section 4(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The Act emphasizes collaborating with Tribal governments for public education regarding their role in shaping the landscape. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The Act provides for continued access to outdoor recreation and maintains existing rights for timber removal. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The Act permits the gathering of fiddlehead ferns for noncommercial personal consumption.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The Act allows for the expansion of the National Monument boundaries to protect more land. Does this invest in rural communities? — The Act provides for the acquisition of land for visitor services and the management of local land resources.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Increased regional access to the National Monument may benefit local recreation and tourism-related small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The expansion of the National Monument and visitor services may support local tourism jobs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The Act mandates collaboration with Tribal governments to educate the public on how Native communities shaped the landscape.
- 2/10/2026
- Subcommittee Hearings Held
- 2/3/2026
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
- 2/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 6/23/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 6/18/2025
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3458)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote. (text: CR S3459)
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Introduced in Senate