June 22, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today announced that the Acadia National Park Advisory Commission will be able to resume its meetings after September 1st and can now begin communicating accordingly. The announcement follows their letter urging Secretary Zinke to take action.
“We welcome this decision and are pleased that the uncertainty regarding the future of the Commission has been resolved,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “As we have said to Secretary Zinke all along, the Commission serves as a vital bridge between Acadia National Park and the surrounding communities, and we look forward to it resuming its work this fall.”
“Speaking for Commission members, I would like to thank Senators Collins and King for their support and excellent communication during the mandated suspension,” said Jackie Johnston, Chair of the Acadia Commission. “We will do our best to get back on track at our September 11th meeting on the Schoodic Peninsula.”
In May, the suspension of all advisory boards across the country was ordered while the Interior Department conducted a review. The Acadia Commission has historically served as a bridge between the Interior Department, state government, and the communities surrounding Acadia National Park. The purpose of the commission is to advise the Secretary of the Interior on matters relating to management and development of the park.
The announcement comes days after Senators Collins and King sent a letter to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke urging him to reconsider his decision to suspend the Acadia Commission. Earlier this week, Senator King also spoke in support of the Commission to Secretary Zinke during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. Earlier this year, Senator King also questioned Acting National Park Service Director Michael T. Reynolds on the suspensions. Senator King has also introduced legislation, which Senator Collins has cosponsored, that would make permanent the Acadia Commission.
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