Rep. Mike Michaud
Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act Hearing (7-23-13)
House Committee Hears Testimony on Michaud’s Wilderness Bill
Michaud and Maine business owner testify in support of passage
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Mike Michaud testified before the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Protection in support of the “Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act of 2013” (H.R. 1808), a bill he reintroduced in April that designates 13 islands as federal wilderness areas within the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge complex. Representative Chellie Pingree is a cosponsor of the bill, which is supported by numerous Maine conservation organizations and local businesses. Michaud’s full testimony can be found here.
“This wilderness designation will increase the marketability of this area to tourists and give a boost to the local economy,” said Michaud. “It will also codify the current status of these islands, maintaining the thoughtful balance between recreational, fishing and aquaculture, and refuge uses.”
In addition to Michaud’s testimony, the committee also heard from Marc Bourgoin, a resident of Kittery Point, Maine and co-owner of Lincoln Canoe and Kayak based in Freeport. Bourgoin’s full testimony can be found here. Both Michaud and Bourgoin highlighted a 2012 report by the Maine Office of Tourism that found visitors contributed $5 billion to Maine’s economy. A photo of them talking before the start of the hearing today can be found attached.
“Many of you are probably familiar with the slogan on Maine’s license plate ‘Vacationland,’” said Bourgoin today. “Wildlife watching and ecotourism brings millions of dollars into Maine’s economy annually, supporting guides and boats bringing people to these beautiful places, as well as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and innumerable stores that serve them. Lincoln Canoe and Kayak has a three part business model—manufacture, retail and experiential. We build boats, sell them and provide our customers wilderness paddling experiences. Tourism is our economic engine and access to wildlife and wilderness fuel that engine.”
There is broad public support for the Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act. According to Bourgoin’s testimony, over 600 Mainers submitted positive comments through emails, phone calls, and written testimony at 4 public hearings when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented its draft conservation plan for the Refuge, including the designation of wilderness for these13 islands. Over 100 organizations, conservation groups, individuals, and businesses, including the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce and residents and businesses of Washington County are on record in support of the Maine Coastal Islands wilderness.
Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act Hearing (7-23-13)
House Committee Hears Testimony on Michaud’s Wilderness Bill
Michaud and Maine business owner testify in support of passage
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Mike Michaud testified before the House Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Protection in support of the “Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act of 2013” (H.R. 1808), a bill he reintroduced in April that designates 13 islands as federal wilderness areas within the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge complex. Representative Chellie Pingree is a cosponsor of the bill, which is supported by numerous Maine conservation organizations and local businesses. Michaud’s full testimony can be found here.
“This wilderness designation will increase the marketability of this area to tourists and give a boost to the local economy,” said Michaud. “It will also codify the current status of these islands, maintaining the thoughtful balance between recreational, fishing and aquaculture, and refuge uses.”
In addition to Michaud’s testimony, the committee also heard from Marc Bourgoin, a resident of Kittery Point, Maine and co-owner of Lincoln Canoe and Kayak based in Freeport. Bourgoin’s full testimony can be found here. Both Michaud and Bourgoin highlighted a 2012 report by the Maine Office of Tourism that found visitors contributed $5 billion to Maine’s economy. A photo of them talking before the start of the hearing today can be found attached.
“Many of you are probably familiar with the slogan on Maine’s license plate ‘Vacationland,’” said Bourgoin today. “Wildlife watching and ecotourism brings millions of dollars into Maine’s economy annually, supporting guides and boats bringing people to these beautiful places, as well as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and innumerable stores that serve them. Lincoln Canoe and Kayak has a three part business model—manufacture, retail and experiential. We build boats, sell them and provide our customers wilderness paddling experiences. Tourism is our economic engine and access to wildlife and wilderness fuel that engine.”
There is broad public support for the Maine Coastal Islands Wilderness Act. According to Bourgoin’s testimony, over 600 Mainers submitted positive comments through emails, phone calls, and written testimony at 4 public hearings when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service presented its draft conservation plan for the Refuge, including the designation of wilderness for these13 islands. Over 100 organizations, conservation groups, individuals, and businesses, including the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce and residents and businesses of Washington County are on record in support of the Maine Coastal Islands wilderness.