It isn't clear how much time elected officials spent discussing offshore wind energy development, a proposed industrial salmon farm, backlogged national park maintenance and other controversial issues during Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland's Maine visit last week.
However, those controversial issues and other topics are on the Department of the Interior's plate, Haaland said at the media event that accompanied her visit to the state and Acadia National Park.
"The focus of the trip was the national park and the deferred maintenance and how we're going about that specifically," Haaland said. "But I can guarantee you that the Department of the Interior (DOI) is very focused in many other areas. On clean energy, both offshore and onshore."
In her first national park visit since joining President Joe Biden's cabinet as DOI Secretary, Haaland met with Gov. Janet Mills, the state's congressional delegation, state tribal leaders and others.
Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th generation New Mexican, is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, as well as the first to be appointed DOI secretary.
In a press release issued just ahead of Haaland's multi-day visit that was expected to include visits with the Penobscot Nation, to Cadillac Mountain and the Schoodic Peninsula, DOI provided some expected discussion topics.
These included $7.6 million from the Great American Outdoors Act’s National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund in Fiscal 2022 for Schoodic Point Water and Wastewater Systems rehabilitation. Haaland was also expected to discuss the $1.3 million earmarked in the Biden administration's proposed Fiscal 2022 budget for Schoodic Education and Research Center and $200,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Acadia National Park.
Money for the park is expected to be spent on acquiring land for a public transportation hub and parking at the park's only lighthouse on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park.
Last year, about 2.7 million park visitors spent an estimated $307 million in local gateway regions while visiting Maine's national parks. Those visits and spending supported more than 4,500 jobs, $149 million in labor income, $267 million in value added and $453.6 million in economic output in the state's economy, according to figures provided Monday, June 21, by the DOI.
Haaland also met with Wabanaki leaders during her visit to discuss the Biden administration's support for public lands.
Cellist Yo Yo Ma and Wabanaki musicians gave a surprise concert during Haaland's visit.
"With the arts and nature as our guide, I was so fortunate to join the Wabanaki people as they welcomed a new day with a sunrise performance featuring @YoYo_Ma and Wabanaki performers," Haaland said in a Twitter post later in the day.
