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Future Meetings |
See the wonder from the water!
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Congressional Action Update: The 2009-2010 Congress adjourned before action was completed on the legislation needed. However, similar legislation with an even better and more explicit map has been introduced very early in the first year of the two year 2011-2012 Congressional cycle, greatly increasing the chance for passage. Senator Carl Levin (D) introduced S. 140 in the Senate on January 25, 2011 with the co-sponsorship of Senator Debbie Stabenow. Congressman Bill Huizenga (R) and Congressman Dave Camp (R) introduced an identical bill, HR 977, in the House of Representatives on March 9, 2011. It is co-sponsored by a number of Michigan members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle. Both bills have received their required
initial hearing in the Senate and House Subcommittees
responsible for reviewing such legislation. CAL submitted
written testimony for each hearing and testified in person at
the House Subcommittee Hearing to express our support for the
bill. |
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Founded in 2002,
Citizens for Access to the Lakeshore (CAL)
monitors for, and
responds to any actions by the National Park Service (NPS) that may
result in a diminishment of public access in Sleeping Bear Dunes
National Lakeshore where it is not necessary to protect Lakeshore
resources. We support preservation of the Lakeshore’s natural, cultural
and historical features and the purpose of the Park as established in
the enabling legislation creating the Park. We oppose bureaucratic
attempts in any form to rewrite the Park’s “purpose”, as
expressed in the 1970 enabling legislation that put the Lakeshore
under federal jurisdiction as established in good faith with the
support of the citizens of the State of Michigan at the time. Members receive comprehensive
newsletters as news of significance occurs. CAL actively
participates in many National Park Service (NPS) citizen input
processes, including, and especially the NPS 2006-2008 General
Management Plan/Wilderness Study. |
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SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
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Located in
well as agricultural development. The natural harbors at
South and North Manitou Islands brought safe haven to many a ship, while
other ships that were not so fortunate shipwrecked, many still lying on
the lake bottom.
Historical features throughout the Park’s acreage on
the Islands and on the Mainland are many, including an 1871 lighthouse,
three former Life-Saving Service/Coast Guard Stations, Port Oneida (a
historically significant former farming community), Boekelodge
(an old, restored cabin deep in the woods of Benzie County), Glen
Haven (a tiny community removed from their homes by the establishment
of the Park), and many other features. The Lakeshore comprises
56,993 federal acres and 4,194 non-federal acres.
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Press Release:
February 2, 2010 Levin, Hoekstra, Stabenow and Camp Introduce Bill to Preserve, Maintain Access to Sleeping Bear Dunes Senate Bill and Companion House Bill Introduced Today WASHINGTON- U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, have introduced legislation that would preserve and maintain access to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is cosponsor of the Senate bill and U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, is cosponsor of the House bill. "I am proud to introduce this bill which will protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for future generations and preserve access to valuable recreational opportunities. The beauty of the lakeshore, dunes and islands at Sleeping Bear make up one of our state's great treasures for residents and visitors to enjoy," Levin said. "This wilderness effort, which has strong support from the public and the National Park Service, will preserve recreational uses of the area, from boating to hang-gliding, for generations to come," he added. "We have worked with local stakeholders and the National Park Service in developing a balanced plan for Sleeping Bear Dunes that allows for recreation and conservation to ensure that this national treasure can be enjoyed by future generations," said Hoekstra. "Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of our nation's precious natural resources and a part of our Michigan way of life," said Stabenow. "By preserving areas of the lakeshore, we are protecting one of our state's top tourist attractions and ensuring its beauty for all Americans for generations to come." "Anyone who has visited Sleeping Bear Dunes instantly recognizes the area is not just a state but a national treasure," said Camp. "We must protect this vital resource while also allowing people to enjoy its beauty, and have worked a long time to strike the correct balance between wilderness preservation and recreational purposes. This act provides a solid plan to achieve both goals, and I am happy to support the final phase of this initiative." The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is currently managed under a 1981 Wilderness Study. The bill would designate as wilderness 32,557 acres of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as outlined in the final General Management Plan and Wilderness Study. The designation would preserve the natural features of the area while enabling access for recreation and the enjoyment of the lakeshore. The "Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act" will preserve areas in a way that reflects a balanced approach to conservation of natural areas, while maintaining access. The bills incorporate language that ensures the beaches of Lake Michigan would not be considered wilderness; that the existing roads would be outside the area and could be improved and maintained; hunting and fishing rights would be preserved; and watercraft would still be allowed in Lake Michigan, along with their beaching adjacent to the wilderness. |
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