Position Statements

Friends of Baxter State Park takes positions on issues that may impact Baxter State Park. When our Board of Directors adopts a position for the organization through a formal position statement, testimony, or a public letter, we make those documents available to our members and the general public.

We welcome input from our members on any of the positions included in the archive below.

  • May 6, 2025

    Testimony on LD 1724, Resolve, Authorizing the Baxter State Park Authority to Convey Certain Land in Cumberland County

  • March 28, 2025

    Comments on Draft 2025-2035 SMA Forest Management Plan

  • March 11, 2025

    Testimony on LD 14, An Act to Provide Indigenous People Free Access to State Parks

  • October 31, 2023

    Friends of Baxter State Park submitted comments to the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) on the Wolfden Mount Chase rezoning application.

  • February 13, 2023

    Friends’ position on L.D. 294 – An Act to Include a Tribal Member in the Baxter State Park Authority

  • September 30, 2022

    Statement of Intention: Wabanaki & Katahdin

  • February 29. 2020

    Hydro Quebec uses an image of Katahdin in a deceptive advertisement to depict a false partnership with Baxter State Park.

  • June 20, 2018

    Friends position letter to Land Use Planning Commission on proposed rule change’s impact on the Park and the Katahdin region.

  • May 8, 2017

    Position statement on the permit system for AT Thru-Hikers concerning the growing number of AT thru-hikers whose behavior negatively impacts the Park’s wilderness values, as well as the experiences of other visitors

  • October 10, 2016

    Letter to Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument.

  • May 9, 2016

    Position Statement on the Proposed Maine Woods National Monument adjoining Baxter State Park.

  • March 10, 2014

    Letter to Congressional Delegation regarding Proposed National Park.

  • August 12, 2018

    Friends’ position on establishing memorials within Baxter State Park.

  • October 18, 2011

    Letter to Secretary of the Interior Salazar on Proposed National Park

  • June 9, 2011

    Friends of Baxter State Park’s position on winter use.

  • October 18, 2009

    Letter to BSP Director on hiking trails.

  • April 6, 2007

    Letter to Maine Land Use Regulation Commission on the zoning petition for Hammond Ridge Development

  • March 12, 2007

    Friend’s position statement on hiking trails.

  • June 24, 2005

    Friends’ letter to BSP Authority supporting efforts to preserve East Branch land.

  • March 4, 2005

    Letter to BSP Authority on Snowmobiles and Timber Harvest.

  • November 8, 2004

    Position statement on the preservation of the land between the Park and the East Branch of the Penobscot River.

  • July 12, 2004

    Policy statement on closing the North Peaks Trail

  • July 12, 2004

    Letter to BSP Authority on Park Management Changes.

  • July 12, 2004

    Letter to BSP Authority on the removal of Daisey Pond Cabins.

  • May 1, 2001

    Friends urges action at the global, national, state, local, and individual levels to reduce carbon emissions to lessen the threats of climate change to Baxter State Park.