STATE OF MAINE
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
1 STATE HOUSE STATION
AUGUSTA, MAINE
04333?000 1

 

Paul R. LaPaga

GOVERNOR August 28, 2015

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House

1600 Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

I have just learned that your Administration is actively exploring designating areas within
the Gulf of Maine as a National Marine Monument under the Antiquities Act. I would first like
to express my opposition to this proposal and second would like to request more information
from your Administration regarding the public procedure you expect to follow as well as
information regarding the timing of this decision.

I understand that Congress has given the President broad powers under the Antiquities
Act to designate federal land a National Monument. Fundamentally, I oppose this power
because it is so sweeping and provides few procedural protections to those who are likely to be
most affected. The National Monument process is considered a ?black box,? with the President
deciding from whom to solicit input (possibly without consulting anyone at all) and no set
timeframes for deliberation by the Administration.

In addition to my general objections to this power, I am also opposed to the speci?c
project in question that looks to designate Cashes Ledge and undersea canyons and seamounts in
the Gulf of Maine as a National Monument. These National Marine Monuments serve only one
purpose excluding commercial ?shing activity from certain segments of the ocean. This
proposal will affect Maine ?shermen from a number of ?shing sectors, including offshore
lobstermen, tuna ?shermen, herring ?shermen and ground?sh ?shermen. Maine?s economy is
heavily dependent on natural resource-based industries and these types of designations harm
these working Mainers the most.

Aside from the economic disruption this proposal would cause, I have serious procedural
concerns as they relate to other planning activities taking place concerning the Gulf of Maine.
As you may be aware, the New England Fishery Management Council just recently completed
what was a roughly ten-year process to adopt a habitat amendment. This amendment balances
economic and environmental interests as they relate to Cashes Ledge and other areas.
Unfortunately, enviromnental interest groups who are not happy with the outcome of this process
are now attempting an end-run by seeking a National Monument designation for these same
areas. It is my understanding that no one interest get exactly what it wanted out of the habitat
amendment, but that is part of the process of government most timesRIO (1E9 ram:
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President Obama
August 28, 2015
Page 2

saddled with the sour grapes of the environmental lobby, who seek to up end the habitat
amendment with a National Monument designation.

In addition to this being an end-run around the New England Council process, the timing
of this matter is somewhat puzzling. You have issued an Executive Order regarding regional
ocean planning in order to improve stakeholder engagement in decision-making around ocean
uses, and to foster interagency coordination across various levels of government. This process is
ongoing and representatives from Maine State government have been closely involved in this
process. Now, the public is put on notice that you are considering designating a National
Monument in the Gulf of Maine before this effort is complete I have to question why we are
engaged in this ocean planning exercise at all.

I appreciate you have broad powers vis a vis designating National Monuments. I am
110ping, however, that you will share with me your Administration?s plan for considering areas of
the Gulf of Maine for National Monument status. Will there be any public meetings to discuss
this proposal or will there be other mechanisms for those affected by this proposal to provide
your Administration with their comments and concerns? I understand you are working closely
with environmental interest groups. I hope you will also be open to hearing from working
people who make their living from the Gulf of Maine. I am also curious as to the decision-
making timeline when do you expect to make a decision regarding this potential designation?

Thank you for your attention to my concerns and thank you for any insight you care to
share regarding this process.

Sincerely,

Paul R. LePag

Governor

cc: Senator Susan M. Collins
Senator Angus S. King
Congressman Bruce L. Poliquin
Congresswoman Rochelle M. Pingree