MILLINOCKET, Maine (AP) — Maine residents appeared to be divided Thursday at a public hearing led by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on whether to study the economic feasibility of a wealthy conservationist’s proposal to create a 70,000-acre national park in the state’s remote North Woods.

Salazar said he decided to come to Millinocket to hear what local residents think about the idea, and whether to go ahead with the study. The Maine Woods National Park is being proposed by Roxanne Quimby, founder of Burt’s Bees personal care products, on property she owns east of Baxter State Park.

Some who oppose to the idea say any studies would be a waste of time. “There is just no support on any level for a national park,” said Millinocket Town Council Mike Madore.

But others suggested a study would allow people to make an informed decision.

“It seems to be a great gift Roxanne Quimby is giving us,” said Daniel McCaw of Old Town, who isn’t sold on the park idea but wants an economic feasibility study.

Quimby wants to donate 70,000 acres of woodlands she owns in the North Woods to the National Park Service for a national park memorializing naturalist Henry David Thoreau. In return, she’d give 30,000 acres to the state for traditional uses such as snowmobiling and hunting.

About 300 people turned out for Thursday’s session moderated by Salazar, who came to the state to highlight the economic benefits of outdoor recreation.

He said local residents’ thoughts — both for and against — are important.

“The best of our outdoor conservation initiatives are those where we have support, and strong support from local communities,” Salazar told reporters before the session.

Salazar, who described Quimby’s land as a “jewel,” told participants that he has two options: One is to order a study to answer residents’ questions. The other is to order a full-blown feasibility study.

No decision has been made, he said.

The National Park Service is interested in Quimby’s proposal because it thinks residents in the Northeast have fewer parks than in other regions of the country. The park’s acreage would be roughly double the size of Maine’s Acadia National Park, which draws more 2 million visitors a year.

Park Service Director Jon Jarvis, who accompanied Salazar, told residents that a national park would have a positive economic impact on the region. Last year, 281 million people visited the national parks, generating $12 billion in visitor spending, and supporting 247,000 jobs, he said.

“The North Woods are, without question, a special place, and it is vital that we hear a wide range of views and feedback as we consider the idea that has been put forward,” he said.

Salazar shrugged off the suggestion that he came to the region at the request of Quimby, who serves on the National Parks Foundation Board, the parks service’s charitable partner. Quimby, who didn’t attend the meeting, was preparing for a previously scheduled presentation in Medway.

“I invited myself,” Salazar told residents. “Nobody invited me.”

Many residents remain fearful that the federal government’s ownership of land would hurt the local economy by placing restrictions on logging and other industries.

Cheryl Russell of Chester told Salazar that she worked for a logging company in Montana and said the industry was devastated by the proximity to Glacier National Park.

“The story you painted for us is not what I saw,” said Russell, who said locals can promote the region for recreation without the federal government’s involvement.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.

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