After months of suspense, it looks like Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument is here to stay. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Thursday that he won’t recommend rescinding the federal designation of 87,500 acres in Maine’s North Woods.

President Obama designated the land, which abuts the east side of Baxter State Park, as a national monument on Aug. 24, 2016.

The East Branch of the Penobscot River is among the pristine areas in the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Monument lands supported extensive logging operations from the time of early Maine statehood. Staff photo by Gregory Rec

The land was donated by Roxanne Quimby, a co-founder of Burt’s Bees.

Years of sometimes bitter debate over the future of the Katahdin region continued even after the designation, with public opposition led by Gov. Paul LePage.

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Zinke said he would not recommend eliminating federal designations for any of the 27 national monuments whose fates were under review.

Read more about Katahdin Woods and Waters

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