FOR MMC
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) introduced the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act on July 23, 2024. This bill would convert the Apostle Islands from a National Lakeshore to a National Park. The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, chaired by Representative Tiffany, held a hearing on the bill on July 24.
“Known as the crown jewel of Wisconsin, Apostle Island National Lakeshore is truly an unparalleled destination that more than deserves to be elevated to the crown jewel of the National Park System,” Congressman Tiffany testified during the July 24 hearing. “The Apostle Islands are rich in natural, cultural and historical resources. Comprising 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands feature numerous scenic cliff formations and arches, sea caves and sandy beaches. From lush forests and fishing grounds to dramatic cliffs and caves, there is truly no place in America like the Apostle Islands. This area also contains a collection of underwater shipwrecks and what the National Park Service calls the largest and most beautiful collection of lighthouses in the country.”
“My bill is very straightforward,” Tiffany continued. “It would simply convert most of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore into the Apostle Islands National Park. My bill also preserves the hunting heritage of the Apostle Islands by declaring Sand Island – a popular hunting destination – the Sand Island National Preserve. Protecting access to hunting lands is of paramount importance to me as chair of this subcommittee, and we have worked with local stakeholders for over a year to ensure that active hunting lands will not be harmed by this bill.”
“In addition, my bill directs the National Park Service to improve signage in the Apostle Islands to provide more information about the region’s rich fur trade, timber and fishing industries. This information will also honor the Ojibwa tribes, the indigenous people of the Apostle Islands, who have called this area home for centuries.”
“Although this legislation has only just been introduced, it reflects an effort that has taken decades,” Tiffany continued. “In 1930, nearly a century ago, Congress first authorized a study to designate the Apostle Islands as a national park. About forty years later, President John F. Kennedy described the islands as part of our American heritage and the area was designated a National Lakeshore. By now elevating the Apostle Islands from a National Lakeshore to a National Park, we can ensure that thousands more will be able to visit this area. I hope that many more people will be able to experience this hidden gem once the Apostle Islands are designated as Wisconsin’s first National Park.”
In addition, Rep. Tiffany submitted 21 letters from various communities, locally elected officials, and local business organizations in support of his bill.
“Designating the Apostle Islands as a national park will positively impact our local economy, bringing more visitors to the area who will contribute to local businesses,” said State Senator Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron). “Increased tourism will create new jobs, spur economic growth and support the livelihoods of many residents in the Bayfield area and beyond. A National Park Service study found that communities within 60 miles of a national park experienced an average 14 percent increase in tourism spending, which was accompanied by a corresponding 11 percent job growth.”
Specifically, this bill would elevate the current National Lakeshore – first established in 1970 – to a national park without changing its existing boundaries. The Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act would also declare Sand Island a national preserve to maintain existing access for hunting.
This wouldn’t be the first time a National Lakeshore has been declared a national park. In 2019, Indiana Dunes, once a National Lakeshore, was declared a national park. While our neighboring states of Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana all have national parks, Wisconsin does not yet have one.
