The Professional Logging Contractors of Maine is deeply concerned that the campaign to create a national park in northern Maine has changed course a bit in the last few months and there is now an effort underway to convince President Obama to designate a national monument there rather than a national park. After careful consideration, the Professional Logging Contractors has decided it is time to voice its opposition to this.
Over the past few years, Elliotsville Plantation Inc., has made known a clear desire to donate a portion of its land in the Katahdin region of Maine to the federal government for the purpose of establishing a national park and a national recreation area, which would require an act of Congress.
We understand that Lucas St. Clair, the organization’s board president, has been in discussions with the Department of the Interior to bypass Congress to seek a national monument designation for the land as an avenue that would eventually accomplish their ultimate goal. This concerns us and the loggers we represent for a number of reasons.
Our organization is a trade association that represents logging contractors in Maine. Our membership employs nearly 2,500 people and is responsible for about 75 percent of Maine’s annual timber harvest.
While it is true that Maine’s paper industry in the north central region of the state has suffered in recent years, it has not hindered logging and the greater forest products industry to the extent that park supporters have led the public to believe. In fact, total wood harvested in Maine actually increased from 13.5 million green tons in 2011 to 14.6 million green tons in 2014.
From the Portland Press Herald: https://www.pressherald.com/2015/12/27/maine-voices-maines-timber-interests-are-at-risk/