Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act”.
Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act
A BILL
To modify the boundary of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the State of Maine, to improve public access to the National Monument, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
In this Act:
Map— The term map means the map entitled “Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Proposed Boundary Revision”, numbered 686/182,881, and dated July 2022.
National Monument— The term National Monument means the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the State established by the Proclamation.
Proclamation— The term “Proclamation” means Presidential Proclamation 9476 (54 U.S.C. 320301 note).
Secretary— The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
State— The term State means the State of Maine.
Superintendent— The term “Superintendent” means the Superintendent of the National Monument.
Sec. 3 Boundary adjustment to, administration of, and improved access to the National Monument
Boundary adjustment— The boundaries of the National Monument shall be the boundaries depicted on the map.
Administration— The Secretary shall administer the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument by this Act) in accordance with—
this Act;
the Proclamation; and
the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
Acquisition of land; access—
In general— Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange—
land and interests in land within the boundary of the National Monument; and
land and interests in land for access into the National Monument from roads and communities adjacent to or in the vicinity of the National Monument.
Prohibition on use of eminent domain— Nothing in this Act authorizes the use of eminent domain to acquire land or an interest in land.
Existing uses— Any land added to the National Monument under subsection (c) shall be managed in a manner that preserves existing hunting, fishing, and snowmobile uses.
Hunting and fishing—
Hunting— The Secretary shall administer hunting within the National Monument—
in the same manner as hunting was administered in the National Monument on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and
in accordance with—
this Act;
the Proclamation; and
the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
Fishing— The Secretary shall administer fishing within the National Monument—
in the same manner as fishing was administered in the National Monument on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and
in accordance with—
this Act;
the Proclamation; and
the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System.
Snowmobile use—
In general— The Secretary shall continue to allow the public to access and use the Interconnected Trail System snowmobile trail within the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument by this Act, consistent with subsection (d)) consistent with the access agreement of November 29, 2007, referred to in the Proclamation—
on land and interests in land identified in the access agreement; and
on land and interests in land east of the East Branch of the Penobscot River added to the National Monument after November 29, 2007.
Designation through compendium— The Superintendent shall provide in the annual compendium published by the Superintendent advance notice to the public of the Interconnected Trail System snowmobile trail routes within the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument by this Act) available for use in the applicable snowmobile season.
Collection of fiddlehead ferns—
In general— Subject to paragraph (2), the Superintendent shall allow the gathering by hand of fiddlehead ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) in the National Monument for personal use and consumption by the general public.
Limitation— If the Superintendent determines that the gathering of fiddlehead ferns under paragraph (1) may adversely affect resources of the National Monument, the Superintendent may limit the gathering of fiddlehead ferns under that paragraph in accordance with existing regulations.
Sec. 4 Administrative sites and visitor facilities
In general— To facilitate the administration of the National Monument, the Secretary may expend donated or appropriated funds to acquire or lease essential facilities for the administration of the National Monument and visitor services outside the boundaries, but within the vicinity, of the National Monument, subject to the requirement that the facilities and the use of the facilities shall be in accordance with approved plans for the National Monument.
Cooperative agreements— The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with State or local governments, Tribal organizations, or private entities—
to carry out the authority granted under this section; and
to develop a cooperative information center for the National Monument.