U.S. Senator Susan Collins today introduced legislation in the Senate that would increase Acadia National Park’s ability to conserve land, allow the park to move forward with plans to reduce traffic and improve the park experience for residents and visitors in future years, and extend opportunities for local residents’ input into management of the park.
“Acadia National Park is a true gem of the Maine coastline. The park is one of Maine’s most popular tourist destinations, with more than two million visitors every year. While unsurpassed in beauty, the park’s ecosystem is also very fragile. Unless we are careful, we risk substantial harm to the very place that we Mainers and Americans hold so dear,” said Senator Collins.
Senator Collins’ legislation is applauded by those working to preserve and promote Acadia. “The off-island transportation center will be another great step forward as we continue to improve the Island Explorer bus system which serves visitors to Acadia National Park and the communities on Mount Desert Island. We appreciate the leadership of Senator Collins and her support for Acadia,” said Sheridan Steele, Superintendent of Acadia National Park.
Specifically, Senator Collins’ legislation extends the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission for 20 additional years, increases the land acquisition ceiling by $10 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.
“My legislation will facilitate the development of an intermodal transportation center as part of the Island Explorer bus system,” said Senator Collins. “The Island Explorer has been extremely successful over its first seven years. These low-emission propane-powered vehicles have carried more than 1.5 million riders since 1999. In doing so, they removed hundreds of thousands of vehicles from the park and significantly reduced pollution.”
In nine years, Acadia will be 100 years old. Age has brought both increasing popularity and greater pressures. By providing an extra $10 million to protect sensitive lands, expanding the highly successful Island Explorer transportation system, and extending the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission, this legislation will help make the park stronger and healthier than ever on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.”
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