Here are some quotes Wednesday about the president’s decision to create a new national monument, Katahdin Waters and Waters, east of Baxter State Park.

“Katahdin Woods and Waters’ daytime scenery is awe-inspiring, from the breadth of its mountain-studded landscape, to the channels of its free-flowing streams with their rapids, falls, and quiet water, to its vantages for viewing the Mount Katahdin massif, the ‘greatest mountain.’ The area’s night skies rival this experience, glittering with stars and planets and occasional displays of the aurora borealis, in this area of the country known for its dark sky.”— President Barack Obama

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“President Obama is once again taking unilateral action against the will of the people, this time the citizens of rural Maine. The Legislature passed a resolution opposing a national monument in the North Woods, members of Maine’s congressional delegation opposed it and local citizens voted against it repeatedly. Despite this lack of support, the Quimby family used high-paid lobbyists in Washington, D.C., to go around the people of Maine and have President Obama use his authority to designate this area a National Monument. This once again demonstrates that rich, out-of-state liberals can force their unpopular agenda on the Maine people against their will.” — Maine Gov. Paul LePage

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“Many parks over the history of the park system have been criticized upon creation. Governor LePage is not the first governor to oppose the creation of a new park. But when we look to the future, we see huge amounts of success. I know change is hard. It’s difficult for people to process. But in the end, national parks all around the country have had tremendous success and are cherished by the communities around them. Over time, it will be embraced.”— Lucas St. Clair, monument promoter and son of Roxanne Quimby

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“I believe that the president’s proclamation, along with the binding commitments in the deeds conveying the land, address the essential elements of those conditions, and that, as a result, the benefits of the designation will far outweigh any detriment and — on balance — will be a significant benefit to Maine and the region. … It is critical to see this as an opportunity fully compatible with our existing forest products industry, including potential growth in woods-related businesses. This isn’t either-or, it’s both — and will provide much-needed diversity to the region’s economy.”— Sen. Angus King, I-Maine

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“While opposed to a unilateral decision, ignoring the votes in the local towns, the Maine Legislature, and Congress, I will continue to work with everyone to move this project forward in the right way in order to build a stronger economy that creates more and better paying jobs in the Katahdin Region and in Maine.” — Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine

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