The legislation was applauded by those working to preserve and promote Acadia. "Acadia National Park is a natural and cultural icon of Maine, and all who cherish this place are grateful for the leadership of Senator Collins and Congressman Michaud in submitting a bill to give it further safeguards. They and the rest of the Maine delegation are constantly working to protect and improve Acadia, which injects $130 million a year into the state''s economy," said Ken Olson, president of Friends of Acadia, an independent philanthropy that has raised $15 million in private endowments for the park.
Specifically, the legislation extends the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission for 20 additional years, increases the land acquisition ceiling by $10 million, to $28 million, and authorizes the Secretary of Interior to participate in and spend appropriated monies to participate in work on an off-island intermodal transportation facility.
The Acadia National Park Advisory Commission is one of the best ways for local residents to voice their opinions on the management of Acadia. Existing legislation, which this bill extends for 20 years, requires the superintendent of Acadia National Park to request the advice of the commission on matters relating to the management and development of the park.
"Extending the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission continues an important tradition of local input into Acadia management decisions. For 20 years, residents have had a forum to express their views on park management directly to the superintendent, and we feel it is important that this local input continue," said Collins and Michaud.
The Maine Department of Transportation, Friends of Acadia, and others are continuing to explore the development of an intermodal facility in Trenton that would allow Downeast Transportation and Island Explorer to meet with a parking lot, in an effort to reduce traffic on MDI. With the Park Service''s involvement, this site could eventually be home to a visitor center. However, because this area is outside of the park boundary, the Park Service is currently unable to contribute funds or staff to this project. The legislation introduced by Senator Collins and Representative Michaud would authorize the Park Service to participate in the Trenton intermodal facility.
"As everyone involved continues to work to reduce traffic and look at the creation of an off-island intermodal facility, it is essential that the Park Service be involved in that process. This legislation allows the Park Service to provide resources and staff to assist in moving the intermodal facility forward and reducing traffic on Mount Desert Island," said Collins and Michaud.
The bill also increases Acadia National Park''s land acquisition ceiling by $10 million, to $28 million. There are still many tracts of private land within Acadia''s authorized boundary that can be developed in ways incompatible with the purposes of the park. Congress established the official boundary in 1986. The National Park Service was directed to buy properties within the boundary from willing sellers to complete the park; however, due to escalating real estate prices on Mount Desert Island, the park is now limited in its ability to protect additional lands.
"Because of rising real estate prices on Mount Desert Island, we need to update Acadia''s land acquisition ceiling, which will allow the park to buy land from willing sellers to fill in some of the holes that still remain in Acadia. This will increase conservation in the park and ensure that uses within the park boundary are compatible with Acadia National Park''s mission," said Collins and Michaud.
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