National Park

Revision: National Park Summary

Homework #8

Wendie Poulin

Mike Tardiff

English 101

25 January 2015

Robert Lilieholm, Professor of Forest Policy at the University of Maine, gave his thoughts in an OP/ED piece in the Bangor Daily News regarding a National Park being developed in the upper region of Maine. The Katahdin Woods and Waters National Park would be comprised of 150,000 donated acres and operated with a 40 million dollar endowment. Lilieholm feels this park would help an area that has lost much revenue over the past few years, Maine is not alone with this economic issue, but with the availability of untouched land turned into a National Park, he believes this opportunity can help to turn this situation around. Lilieholm feels that outdoor recreation opportunities would attract national attention to the Katahdin region, plus bring awareness to the Penobscot area and all it offers. He knows there is much controversy around this idea, as many are concerned this will not transpire enough interest of those from out of state to use it, but Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island, Maine, brings in over 2 million visitors a year and he suspects this new park would generate the same number of visitors, along with some staying to raise their families. He understands that more education must be brought to the public for this to take place and that misinformation must be cleared up so Mainers will change their thoughts on what he feels is a beneficial opportunity right in their backyards.