Yet Maine has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the nation. We think the Federal government is a whole lot bigger than it needs to be, but the Department of Interior is among its best agencies. Residents and businesses within the proposed area would be unaffected. Parts of the area would be designated a national preserve, which means that hunters, trappers, and snowmobilers would be allowed. The land would be bought from willing sellers.
Nobody feels any particular kinship with the present owners.
It isn't like native Mainers would be made to displace grandma by forfeiting the old homestead. A billion bucks would be enough to buy all the land and put things in working order. To those of us wondering how to pay the phone bill, a billion is a considerable sum, certainly. But, to put things in perspective, it is about what one B-2 bomber costs. Given a choice, certainly a lot of people would opt for the park.