AUGUSTA, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) today attended the 39th Annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show at the Augusta Civic Center. Senator King visited with many of the over 100 exhibitors at the show, listened to their stories and updates, and discussed the role of outdoor recreation for Maine’s economy and way of life.

            “Maine’s heritage was shaped in the outdoors, with generations of Maine people hunting and fishing in our woods and rivers to feed their families and make a living,” Senator King said. “This proud tradition continues today; we pass our love for the outdoors on to our children so they can learn about the beauty of our state and excitement and independence of being outside in nature. It was wonderful to speak with so many Maine people at the Sportsman’s show today who have harnessed their love for the outdoors to further Maine’s recreation economy and foster growth in our state’s rural communities.”

Through his position on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King has worked to support outdoor recreation for sportsmen in Maine. In 2015, he cosponsored The Sportsmen’s Act of 2015, bipartisan legislation that would prioritize recreation on federal lands and promote cooperation with state and local governments. Senator King is also an ardent supporter of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a conservation program that has helped preserve thousands of acres of land in Maine. Following Senator King’s advocacy, Congress passed, and the President signed a permanent reauthorization of LWCF earlier this month.