releases: https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-bill-help-maine-clam-and-worm-harvesters-and-clarify
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://poliquin.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-poliquin-s-bill-help-maine-clam-and-worm-harvesters-and-clarify | Rep. Poliquins Bill to Help Maine Clam and Worm Harvesters and to Clarify Boundaries at Acadia Advances in the House | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | ME | Bruce Poliquin | P000611 | poliquin.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – In a unanimous, bipartisan vote, Congressman Bruce Poliquin (ME-02) had his legislation pass through the House Natural Resources Committee, clearing a key step toward a final vote in the House. The bill, H.R. 4266, will make important revisions to boundary policies at Acadia National Park (ANP) and help resolve recent disputes between local harvesters and the National Park Service (NPS) in and around the park. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01) is an original cosponsor of the bill, while Senators Angus King and Susan Collins have introduced an identical bill in the Senate. “I’ve worked closely with the entire Maine Delegation and have worked to hear from all stakeholders to put forward this comprehensive solution in resolving boundary and traditional harvesting issues at Acadia,” said Congressman Poliquin. “In the past months and years, I’ve made sure to hear from, meet with, and understand the perspectives of groups on all sides and of all different interests in these discussions—from holding a roundtable discussion with local wormers and clammers last summer in Ellsworth to meeting or talking directly with Acadia National Park officials and local town officials. I’m extremely pleased this bipartisan and bicameral legislation is moving forward in Congress with broad support, and I will continue to push in the House to get it across the finish line.” In November, Congressman Poliquin testified before the House Natural Resources Committee on the legislation. Background: In 2015, ANP was deeded more than 1,400 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula by an anonymous donor. This was a welcome gift from the local towns and communities. It was only after the land was transferred to ANP that the NPS informed the public that the legal authority they used for the transfer came from a 1929 law that many in the Bar Harbor area believed had been repealed in 1986, after successful efforts to pass a law that set boundary limits on the park. The boundary law was crafted due to growing concerns about the size of the park and its impact on the tax base. The local towns and residents were extremely concerned when they learned that ANP relied on the 1929 law for the Schoodic transfer because it could potentially set precedent for the NPS to use it again. Residents contacted the Maine Congressional delegation to express their concern and request for a repeal of the 1929 law, while at the same time keeping the Schoodic land transfer. One amendment was added to the legislation at the hearing today by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop to eliminate a provision of the original bill that directs a payment to the Acadia Disposal District. The reason is because the Committee had determined that this would technically be an “earmark” and therefore, in order to follow parliamentary rules, would need to be taken out. Congressman Poliquin believes this funding was promised to local Bar Harbor communities in 1986 and never delivered so he is committed to working with the NPS to find an administrative solution to ensure local communities receive the resources they were promised. In August 2016, Congressman Poliquin hosted a roundtable in Ellsworth with local clammers and wormers to learn about the challenges their industry is facing and to commit to protecting traditional access to Maine’s waters and woods, including the harvesting of marine resources. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |