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SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS ANNOUNCES A CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION FOR THE PETIT MANAN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Susan Collins today announced that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) signed a categorical exclusion for the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge allowing USFWS to buy the islands already purchased by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) on their behalf. In August, 2002, USFWS refused to approve a categorical exclusion that would allow the transfer of these islands. Senator Collins objected to this move on behalf of MCHT, who had already spent more than $500,000 to acquire these island in anticipation of the transfer.

"I am pleased that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has heeded the concerns that I voiced regarding the transfer of islands to the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge," said Senator Collins. "It is so important to preserve these critical coastal islands, which are under an immense amount of pressure from developers."

The Petit Manan Refuge reached its regional acquisition limit several years ago, and has been regularly acquiring land through the categorical exclusion process. However, in August, 2002, USFWS refused to grant a categorical exclusion that would allow the Refuge to acquire five islands from MCHT. At the time, USFWS was developing a broad comprehensive conservation plan and decided to freeze any new acquisitions until this plan was approved.

Senator Susan Collins persuaded USFWS to grant the categorical exclusion needed for the transfer. These five islands will now become part of the Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge, preventing development in this critical habitat. This announcement will also preserve the partnership between MCHT, who has been relying on this transfer, and USFWS, to ensure that they can continue to protect these costal treasures.

"In the face of intense development pressure, conserving these important seabird nesting islands is critical," said Jay Espy, President of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. "It could not have happened without the steadfast commitment and leadership of Maine''s Congressional delegation. They were a tremendous help is securing the federal money that made this project possible."