Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act

To modify the boundary of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the State of Maine, to improve public access to the National Monument, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Map The term map Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Proposed Boundary Revision (2) National Monument The term National Monument (3) Proclamation The term Proclamation 54 U.S.C. 320301 (4) Secretary The term Secretary (5) State The term State (6) Superintendent The term Superintendent 3. Boundary adjustment to, administration of, and improved access to the National Monument (a) Boundary adjustment The boundaries of the National Monument shall be the boundaries depicted on the map. (b) Administration The Secretary shall administer the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument by this Act) in accordance with— (1) this Act; (2) the Proclamation; and (3) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System. (c) Acquisition of land; access (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange— (A) land and interests in land within the boundary of the National Monument; and (B) land and interests in land for access into the National Monument from roads and communities adjacent to or in the vicinity of the National Monument. (2) Prohibition on use of eminent domain Nothing in this Act authorizes the use of eminent domain to acquire land or an interest in land. (d) Existing uses Any land added to the National Monument under subsection (c) shall be managed in a manner that preserves existing hunting, fishing, and snowmobile uses. (e) Hunting and fishing (1) Hunting The Secretary shall administer hunting within the National Monument— (A) in the same manner as hunting was administered in the National Monument on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) in accordance with— (i) this Act; (ii) the Proclamation; and (iii) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System. (2) Fishing The Secretary shall administer fishing within the National Monument— (A) in the same manner as fishing was administered in the National Monument on the day before the date of enactment of this Act; and (B) in accordance with— (i) this Act; (ii) the Proclamation; and (iii) the laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System. (f) Snowmobile use (1) In general The Secretary shall continue to allow the public to access and use the Interconnected Trail System snowmobile trail within the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument by this Act, consistent with subsection (d)) consistent with the access agreement of November 29, 2007, referred to in the Proclamation— (A) on land and interests in land identified in the access agreement; and (B) on land and interests in land east of the East Branch of the Penobscot River added to the National Monument after November 29, 2007. (2) Designation through compendium The Superintendent shall provide in the annual compendium published by the Superintendent advance notice to the public of the Interconnected Trail System snowmobile trail routes within the National Monument (including the land added to the National Monument by this Act) available for use in the applicable snowmobile season. (g) Collection of fiddlehead ferns (1) In general Subject to paragraph (2), the Superintendent shall allow the gathering by hand of fiddlehead ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) in the National Monument for personal use and consumption by the general public. (2) Limitation If the Superintendent determines that the gathering of fiddlehead ferns under paragraph (1) may adversely affect resources of the National Monument, the Superintendent may limit the gathering of fiddlehead ferns under that paragraph in accordance with existing regulations. 4. Administrative sites and visitor facilities (a) In general To facilitate the administration of the National Monument, the Secretary may expend donated or appropriated funds to acquire or lease essential facilities for the administration of the National Monument and visitor services outside the boundaries, but within the vicinity, of the National Monument, subject to the requirement that the facilities and the use of the facilities shall be in accordance with approved plans for the National Monument. (b) Cooperative agreements The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with State or local governments, Tribal organizations, or private entities— (1) to carry out the authority granted under this section; and (2) to develop a cooperative information center for the National Monument.

Summary: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Access Act This bill modifies the boundaries of the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. The boundaries of the monument shall be the boundaries depicted on the map titled Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument Proposed Boundary Revision and dated July 2022. The Department of the Interior may acquire, by purchase from a willing seller, donation, or exchange (1) land and interests in land within the boundary of the monument, and (2) land and interests in land for access into the monument from roads and communities adjacent to or in the vicinity of the monument. Nothing in this bill authorizes the use of eminent domain to acquire land or an interest in land. Any land added to the monument shall be managed to preserve existing hunting, fishing, and snowmobile uses. The bill allows for the gathering by hand of fiddlehead ferns in the monument for personal use and consumption by the general public.