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Contact: Deborah Turcotte, Spokesperson
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
284 State Street
41 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333

Telephone: work (207) 287-6008 cell (207) 592-1164

Fax: (207) 287-6395

July 9, 2008

Commissioner Martin named Chair of Baxter State Park Authority

Augusta – Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin was named Chair of the Baxter State Park Authority at its meeting on Tuesday.

Commissioner Martin will fill the chairmanship that was held by Attorney General Steven Rowe for the past five years. Rowe will remain as a member of the Baxter State Park Authority.

The Baxter State Park Authority was placed into statute at the request of the park’s donor, former Maine Gov. Percival P. Baxter, according to Baxter State Park Executive Director Jensen Bissell. The Baxter State Park Authority, which oversees the management of the park, by statute, consists of the Maine Attorney General, the Commissioner of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, and the Director of the Maine Forest Service.

“Gov. Baxter once quipped that to guide the Park he wanted the state’s best wildlife biologist and its best forester along with the state’s best attorney to keep the other two out of trouble,” Bissell said.

Commissioner Martin, Attorney General Rowe, and Maine Forest Service Director Alec Giffen serve on the Baxter State Park Authority while they are in their appointed state positions. The chair is elected by the Authority members “as and when they deem prudent,” Bisssell said.

Commissioner Martin said he is honored to be selected as Chair of the Baxter State Park Authority.

“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” said Martin, addressing his comments to Attorney General Rowe and Director Giffen. “Following in Mr. Rowe’s footsteps is indeed an honor and a privilege.”

Under Attorney General Rowe’s leadership as Chair, Baxter State Park has seen many changes, including the selection of a new executive director, Jensen Bissell, after the retirement of longtime park executive director Irvin “Buzz” Caverly, and the acquisition of the 4,119-acre Katahdin Lake parcel, which was made possible by the donations of hundreds of individuals who wanted to complete Gov. Baxter’s vision of including Katahdin Lake and surrounding land as part of the park.

“The people who visit Baxter State Park – our consumers – and the Park staff know full well of Steve’s leadership and compassion for this magnificent natural resource,” Commissioner Martin said. “Not only is Steve a born leader, but he’s also a people’s person.”

Attorney General Rowe said he is grateful he had the opportunity to chair the Baxter State Park Authority.

“Governor Baxter gave the people of Maine a great treasure in the form of Baxter State Park,” said Attorney General Rowe. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as Authority Chair for the past five years. I congratulate Commissioner Martin, the new Chair, and look forward to continued service with him and with Director Giffen.”

Baxter State Park covers 204,733 acres, and has 46 mountain peaks and ridges, the highest being Mount Katahdin at 5,267 feet. Approximately 100,000 people visit the park each summer, with Mount Katahdin as the primary draw, attracting approximately 50,000 climbers.

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