{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/new-national-wildlife-refuge-maine-approved", "New National Wildlife Refuge in Maine approved", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Chellie Pingree", "P000597", "pingree.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Many species of wildlife\u00a0will benefit from the conserved habitat, including monarch butterfly, American woodcock, and New England cottontail. (Images courtesy USFWS)\nCongresswoman Chellie Pingree celebrated today\u2019s announcement that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has approved the Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge, meaning that the agency can move forward in conserving 15,000 acres of wildlife habitat over six states, including Maine.\u00a0\n\u201cThis is very exciting news for our state. \u00a0National Wildlife Refuges have not only been key in protecting the diversity of Maine\u2019s wildlife species, but in helping attract visitors to the state and contributing to local economies,\u201d said Pingree. \u00a0\u201cThe creation of Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge will be an important addition to the system. \u00a0The refuge lands will offer wonderful places for the public to explore while conserving dwindling habitat for migratory birds and threatened and endangered species, like the New England cottontail.\u201d\nPingree is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment, which oversees funding for USFWS programs.\u00a0\n About Grand Thicket National Wildlife Refuge \nToday\u2019s approval comes after an extensive public comment process. \u00a0The authorization allows USFWS to move forward in seeking and acquiring 15,000 acres in 10 Refuge Acquisition Focus Areas over six states\u2014Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and eastern New York. \u00a0\nUSFWS will acquire the land by working with private landowners who voluntarily want to sell, donate, or place a conservation easement on their property.\nIn Maine, there are two Refuge Acquisition Focus Areas covering a total of 29,600 acres. \u00a0From within those areas,\u00a0USFWS estimates acquiring 2,000 acres in the Berwick-York area and 800 acres in the Cape Elizabeth-Scarborough area.\u00a0\nMore information about the project, including maps of the focus areas, is available here.\n Economic benefits of National Wildlife Refuges \nA 2013 study found that National Wildlife Refuge System generates $2.4 billion in economic activity every year and supports 35,000 jobs. \u00a0In Maine, a 2012 survey found that non-local visitors to Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge spent an average $111 per person per day in the local area and local visitors spent $31 per person per day.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/new-national-wildlife-refuge-maine-approved"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8322258945554495, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}