EAST MILLINOCKET (AP) — East Millinocket, Maine, is slated to hold a nonbinding referendum about a controversial proposal to create a national park east of Baxter State Park.
Town residents are scheduled to vote on the proposal today. Residents have debated the merits of the proposal park in recent public meetings. The vote was originally scheduled for June 25 but was pushed back. Medway voters voted “no” in a similar vote.
Supporters say the park would create jobs, drive tourism and include recreational opportunities. Opponents cite a perceived loss of recreational access. Others say they don’t want to turn land over to the National Park Service.
The park would be made up of 75,000 acres owned by Roxanne Quimby, founder of Burt’s Bees. Another 75,000 acres would be a recreation area.
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