King, Collins and Golden ask feds to halt consideration of wildlife refuge

SUN JOURNAL • August 4, 2023

Maine’s Congressional delegation has sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service voicing “serious concerns” regarding a potential National Wildlife Refuge in the High Peaks Region of western Maine. In the letter, U.S. Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins, as well as U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, said the federal government should “terminate its evaluation of the High Peaks Region for inclusion in the National Wildlife Refuge system and instead, work with the established local conservation entities and the state to address any wildlife-related issues.” Franklin County Commissioners Bob Carlton said that an attempt 10 years ago to create a refuge in the area failed. He and others don’t trust the federal government, he said.