[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6052-S6053]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 1154. A bill to extend the Acadia National Park Advisory 
Commission, to provide improved visitor services at the park, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Acadia 
National Park Improvement Act of 2005. This legislation takes important 
steps to ensure the long-term health of one of America's most beloved 
national parks. It would increase the land acquisition ceiling at 
Acadia by $10 million; facilitate an off-site intermodal transportation 
center for the Island Explorer bus system; and extend the Acadia 
National Park Advisory Commission.
  In 1986, Congress enacted legislation designating the boundary of 
Acadia National Park. However, many private lands were contained within 
the permanent authorized boundary. Congress authorized the Park to 
spend $9.1 million to acquire those lands from willing sellers only. 
While all of that money has now been spent, rising land prices have 
prevented the money from going as far as Congress originally intended.
  There are over 100 private tracts left within the official park 
boundary. Nearly 20 of these tracts are currently available from 
willing sellers, but the park does not have the funds to purchase them. 
My legislation would authorize an additional $10 million to help 
acquire these lands. Since these lands already fall within the 
congressionally authorized boundary, this effort would ``fill in the 
holes'' at Acadia, rather than enlarging the park.
  My legislation will also facilitate the development of an intermodal 
transportation center as part of the Island Explorer bus system. The 
Island Explorer has been extremely successful over its first 5 years. 
These low-emission propane-powered vehicles have carried more than 1.5 
million riders since 1999. In doing so, they removed 424,000 vehicles 
from the park and reduced pollution by 24 tons.
  Unfortunately, the system lacks a central parking and bus boarding 
area. As a result, day use visitors do not have ready access to the 
Island Explorer. My legislation would authorize the Secretary of the 
Interior to provide assistance in the planning, construction, and 
operation of an intermodal transportation center in Trenton, ME. This 
center will include parking for day users, a visitor orientation 
facility highlighting park and regional points of interest, a bus 
boarding area, and a bus maintenance garage. This center, which will be 
built in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Maine Department of Transportation, and 
other partners, will reduce traffic congestion, preserve park resources 
and the visitor experience, and ensure a vibrant tourist economy.
  Finally, my legislation would extend the 16-member Acadia National 
Park Advisory Commission for an additional 20-year period. This 
commission was created by Congress in 1986 and is currently due to 
expire in 2006. That would be a mistake. The commission consists of 
three Federal representatives, three State representatives, four 
representatives from local towns on Mount Desert Island, three from 
adjacent mainland communities, and three from adjacent offshore 
islands. These representatives have provided invaluable advice relating 
to the management and development of the Park. The commission has 
proven its worth many times over and deserves to be extended for an 
additional 20 years.
  Acadia National Park is a true gem of the Maine coastline. The park 
is one of Maine's most popular tourist destinations, with nearly 3 
million visitors every year. While unsurpassed in beauty, the park's 
ecosystem is also very fragile. Unless we are careful, we risk 
substantial harm to the very place that Mainers and Americans hold so 
dear.
  In 11 years, Acadia will be 100 years old. Age has brought both 
increasing popularity and greater pressures. By providing an extra $10 
million to protect sensitive lands, expanding the highly successful 
Island Explorer transportation system, and extending the Acadia 
National Park Advisory Commission, this legislation will help make the 
park stronger and healthier than ever on the occasion of its centennial 
anniversary.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to offer my cosponsorship to 
the Acadia National Park Improvement Act of 2005. For those of you who 
have not had the good fortune to visit one of the crown jewels in the 
National Park system, Acadia National Park, the first national park 
established east of the

[[Page S6053]]

Mississippi, is located on the rugged coast of Maine, encompassing over 
47,000 acres that follow the shoreline, go up mountains of sheer 
granite, dotted with numerous lakes and ponds, diverse habitats that 
create striking scenery and make the park a haven for wildlife and 
plants. This past Earth Day was celebrated by one of my staff members 
along with devotees of the Park on the South Ridge Trail of Cadillac 
Mountain, the highest point on the U.S. Atlantic coast, on the same 
ground where the Wabanaki Indians walked over 6,000 years ago. They 
called the surrounding Mount Desert Island Pemetic, ``the sloping 
land''.
  Acadia National Park certainly covers a land of contrast and 
diversity, with a variety of freshwater, estuarine, forest and 
intertidal resources and is one of the most visited Parks in the 
national park system, and rightfully so, as it offers magnificent views 
from Cadillac Mountain that sweep down 1,530 feet to the rocky coast 
and ocean below. Besides its natural beauty, the Park brings in $130 
million a year into the State's economy.
  It is because of the great beauty of the Park and its scenic views 
that I have continued my efforts to achieve cleaner air for the area 
and for the entire State. The pristine Park is, unfortunately, a good 
example of how the State is affected by dirty air that blows in from 
away, estimated to be around 80 percent, that is affecting both the air 
we breathe and our ability to enjoy the natural beauty of the 47,000 
acres of the Park.
  I am a devoted fan of the Island Explorer bus system, whose clean 
propane-powered vehicles offer visitors and residents free 
transportation to hiking trails, the unique carriage roads, the island 
beaches and for in-town shopping. It is estimated that the Island 
Explorer buses took the place of an estimated 300,000 vehicles during 
the last four years, and prevented the release of 24 tons of nitrogen 
oxide and volatile organic compounds from car exhaust. I understand 
that other national parks are considering using the positive benefits 
of the Island Explorer system as a transportation model for parks all 
around the country. A great deal of thanks should go to the surrounding 
towns and to L.L. Bean for financing this successful system that helps 
to make the air cleaner and adds to our enjoyment of the activities the 
Park provides.
  The legislation introduced today will help the Park in three specific 
areas; one, it will help the Park by extending the Acadia National Park 
Advisory Commission for 20 years giving local residents the opportunity 
for input into the management of the Park; two, it will increase the 
authorized ceiling for land acquisition funding by $10 million to $28 
million to realize the sharp rise in real estate prices so that 
properties from willing sellers within the Park's boundaries can be 
included into the Park; and, three, the legislation will allow the Park 
to locate an intermodal center outside of park boundaries off of Mt. 
Desert Island to give even more assistance to the one road entering and 
exiting the Park by alleviating auto traffic to and on the island and 
to achieve cleaner air.
  I will continue to take actions for additions within the Park 
boundaries, for local input into the management process, for a better 
public transportation system for the Island that will create a 
healthier environment, and better support the Park's ecological 
protections. I look forward to continue working with the people of Mt. 
Desert Island, the Park's Supervisor, and the Friends of Acadia, a 
devoted, independent philanthropy that has raised $15 million in 
private endowments for the Park, on issues important to all of us for 
the preservation of the beautiful landscape, the ocean's coastline, and 
for environmental improvements in Acadia National Park, the very place 
where the first light of day shines on our glorious Nation.
                                 ______