The outdoors is a big part of my life. My family and I enjoy hunting, hiking, and fishing all over the great state of Maine. We’re not alone: According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation is responsible for 65,000 Maine jobs and over $5 billion per year for Maine’s economy. That makes outdoor recreation one of Maine’s largest industries.

Last week, with the designation of 87,500 acres on the east side of Baxter State Park as a National Monument, that industry got a big lift. Now known as Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the parcel will become Maine’s sixth destination under management by the National Park Service, joining Acadia, the Appalachian Trail, Maine Acadian Culture Park, Roosevelt-Campobello International Park, and St. Croix Island.

That list of six destinations, by the way, would make a great Maine trivia question to ask a tourist (you could do that while you’re lightening their wallet with some of our fine craft beer, guide services, or whatever’s on offer at your business). Indeed, tourists from all over the country and all over the world visit our national parks. That creates economic opportunity. Outdoor retail, food and dining, and guide services traditionally do well in these destinations.

As co-chair of the Legislature’s House Sportsmen’s Caucus, I was especially pleased to see a significant portion of the monument will maintain hunting access, which I believe represents an additional positive opportunity. Hunters are proven to contribute to local businesses.

And it’s not just hunters. Tourists of all types will visit. It’s clear that conservation carries considerable economic upside. The towns of Chase, Patten, and Millinocket, which are surrounded by some of the most beautiful outdoor resources in the world, are now in a prime position for economic growth. A national park or monument is not going to be the only driver of economic growth in the region, but it can be a major part of it. It will be up for all of us to plan effectively so that existing industries can be successful alongside this new opportunity – one that we should not squander. The right approach will maintain the feel and appeal of the area, while acting in support of – and not as an impediment to – the privately owned working forest that surrounds it. If you’ve been to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, which has struggled with unchecked development and pollution around Great Smokey Mountains National Park, ultimately devaluing the destination experience – you can understand the challenge.

But I believe here in Maine, working together, we can find a better way, one that harnesses the optimism, energy, and economic potential of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument while supporting and contributing to growth and success in Maine’s other traditional industries. A diversified economy in central and northern Maine, with new jobs supported by a national monument, is one that all Mainers should feel excited about.

— State Rep. Martin Grohman represents House District 12, which includes part of Biddeford.