BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 30, 2025
With Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument staff furloughed because of the federal shutdown, supporters of the national space are concerned about adequate staffing and protection of the monument’s resources. Without the superintendent and other permanent staff, there is only one law enforcement ranger working fulltime to patrol nearly 90,000 acres, said Brian Hinrichs, executive director of Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters. Additionally, important research and other building projects are at a standstill, he said Thursday. Similar to Acadia National Park and other national parks and monuments, Katahdin Woods & Waters buildings are closed, furloughed staff are not getting paychecks, and visitors are on their own, with the exception of a skeletal maintenance crew checking on bathrooms. Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters financially supported the opening of the Tekαkαpimək Contact Station. But they want to emphasize how critical it is that the federal government take responsibility for its federal employees and private support is not a long term solution.