In the coming years, the national monument will take shape through public input and involvement. You are invited to join this effort.
What is a management plan?
The National Park Service has committed to completing a management plan for Katahdin Woods and Waters in three years. Management plans establish the overarching vision for the public lands and guide the direction for future work and activities. The plan will also be available for public comment prior to its finalization.
Listening Sessions
In the fall of 2016, a series of community listening sessions were held in Stacyville, Medway, Millinocket, and Bangor. Over 550 interested citizens attended these sessions and numerous others shared written comments by e-mail and mail, and in person.
These listening sessions were held to hear directly from interested citizens in communities surrounding the monument. The goal of these sessions was to gain a greater understanding of the diverse perspectives held by the communities and interested groups about the future planning of the monument. These discussions helped to identify the issues and opportunities that need to be addressed through continued public engagement during planning process.
A full report and compilation of responses from the listening sessions and write-in comments may be downloaded using the link below.
Listening Session Report: A compilation of comments shared through Listening Sessions and Write-in Comments
Shin Pond Workshop Report
On August 8, 2017, a workshop was held at Shin Pond Village in Mount Chase. The workshop was an opportunity for the National Park Service to hear more from the community about potential infrastructure connected to Lower Shin Pond and road access within the monument.
Nearly 50 people attended and others shared input in writing. A report and compilation of the comments may be downloaded at the link below.
Shin Pond Focus Workshop Report
Next Steps
In the coming months, we will continue to meet with organizations, state agencies, schools, towns, and businesses to learn more about opportunities for the new monument.
This winter and continuing throughout 2018, we will host a series of discussions to further explore the topics identified in the listening sessions.
Announcements for those events will be shared on this web page and through e-news updates. Sign up for the e-newsletter by emailing us.
If at any time you would like to share additional comments with us, please send them to: kaww_superintendent@nps.gov. Input received will be used to draft a management plan that will guide the long-term direction for Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.