Rep. Tiffany Reintroduces Bill to Create Wisconsin’s First National Park

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) reintroduced the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act. This legislation will elevate the Apostle Islands from a National Lakeshore to Wisconsin’s first National Park. 

“Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands are a national treasure and deserve the distinction of becoming the state’s first National Park. Elevating the Apostle Islands would continue to preserve these Lake Superior treasures, honor our state’s heritage, and deliver lasting benefits to surrounding communities for generations to come,” said Rep. Tiffany. 

Background:

Designated as a National Lakeshore in 1970, the Apostle Islands are among Wisconsin’s most cherished public lands. Rep. Tiffany’s legislation would elevate the current Lakeshore to National Park status without changing its existing boundaries. Sand Island would become a National Preserve to ensure continued hunting access (view map here), and management and protection of the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve would remain under the National Park Service. The bill ensures fishing and recreational opportunities will continue to be managed by the National Park Service as they are today, and no mining would be allowed, consistent with the Mining in the Parks Act of 1976. 

Importantly, the legislation affirms all treaty rights and Tribal sovereignty, stating: “Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting any rights granted, reserved, or established pursuant to treaty, statute, or executive order pertaining to any Tribe, including, but not limited to, rights to hunt, trap, fish, and gather on lands included within the boundary of Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve or any other rights asserted by any Tribe.” 

This would not be the first time a National Lakeshore became a National Park. In 2019, Indiana Dunes, once a National Lakeshore, was elevated to a National Park. While our neighboring states of Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana all enjoy National Parks, Wisconsin does not yet have one, and the iconic features of these unique islands are deserving of this long-overdue recognition. Elevating the Apostle Islands to a National Park would bring numerous benefits to Wisconsin, including additional conservation resources, heightened prestige, and greater economic output in the surrounding communities, thus supporting more local jobs and businesses. 

Officials/Organizations supporting the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act include: Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Congressman Tony Wied (WI-08), Representative Rob Summerfield (AD-68), Senator Romaine Quinn (SD-25), Washburn County Board, Hayward Mayor Gary Gillis, Superior Chamber of Commerce, Town of Oma, WeGrowBiz, Sawyer County Board, Burnett County Economic Development, and Price County Board of Supervisors.

The full text of the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act can be found here. For frequently asked questions regarding the elevated designation, click here.

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