Numerous Bayfield County residents voiced their opposition to a proposal from an elected official to make the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore a national park during a recent hearing.
One after another, residents expressed concerns during a county board meeting on Aug. 27 about Congressman Tom Tiffany’s bill, saying they are worried about the possible impact the change would have on the Bay Area.
Many warned board members Bayfield County’s infrastructure isn’t ready to accommodate an influx in tourism Tiffany is encouraging, pointing out the lack of staff to handle the increase, the lack of housing for the increase and the lack of parking in Bayfield. They’re also concerned about the effects on their daily lives.
It would be like the “Apple Fest on steroids,” cautioned Barksdale resident Michael Bark, referring to the Bayfield Apple Festival that brings thousands of people to the city with a population just shy of 600 people.
So many people spoke out against the bill that the board voted to extend public comment. No one spoke in favor of the bill. Board members listened and ultimately approved a resolution in opposition to Tiffany’s bill.
Touting the bill during a recent hearing in Washington, Tiffany said “The Apostle Islands are one of Wisconsin’s true crown jewels and deserve to be recognized.”
“This prestigious designation would not only strengthen conservation efforts, bolster the local economy and create new job opportunities, but would also ensure lasting environmental and economic security for generations to come,” he said.
If passed, he said it would be “a win for people in my state and people at large.”
“I know first-hand how meaningful increased visitation would be for northwoods communities and small businesses that rely on outdoor recreation,” he said
Concerns about how hunting and treaty rights would be impacted were also raised during the board meeting. Hunting is prohibited in national parks, but is allowed on national lakeshores. To address that, the bill specifies that Sand Island would be designated a national reserve, where hunting would be permitted.
Tiffany has said treaty rights would be preserved as part of the bill that would also enhance awareness of Ojibwe culture.
Board member Steve Sandstrom said Tiffany presented the bill with a lack of community engagement.
“The introduction was executed with minimal to no engagement from stakeholders, local governments, community members, sportsmen and regular park users,” he said. “This is concerning given the significant implication this would have in our community.”
In comparison, when the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore was established in 1970, it followed a rigorous five-year process that included numerous public hearings and extensive consultations with local communities, environmental experts and policy makers, Sandstrom said.
In response, Tiffany issued a statement saying “There is a rigorous, regular-order legislative process for any bill to become a law, and that's the process we will follow.”
“My office has been in consultation with many local officials, towns, sportsman’s groups, economic development and workforce organizations, and businesses who support the legislation, and we will continue to be open to public input,” he said.
The change would be extraordinary, Tiffany has said, noting Indiana Dunes was redesignated as a national park four years ago. The number of visitors there that year increased from 1.75 million in 2018 to 2.13 million.
These statistics don’t apply here, Sandstrom said.
Board member Mary Dougherty researched national parks and found the park service is struggling to find workers because of the housing crisis, causing lower staff numbers as the number of visitors rises.
Member James Crandall stressed that EMS services in the county are stretched thin as it is and can’t get enough people to join.
“How will we manage the great influx on tourism?” he asked.
Bayfield County needs year-round economic development, and this bill doesn’t accomplish that, member Jan Lee said.
“I haven’t heard anything long term about this other than tourism,” she said. “We only have in the summertime about four months that we can actually really cram as many tourists as we can in here,” she said.
Furthermore, the resolution also said the proposal would prohibit hunting and trapping on approximately 39,000 acres of land which are now open and available to these recreational activities. Designating Sand Island as a preserve would also reduce the protection of the natural, historical and cultural resources on the island since natural resource extractions and uses such as mining and logging could be allowed and commercial development such as resorts and marinas could be allowed.
Lee wondered why the county just heard about the bill two months ago when “we know you’ve been working on this for two years.”
“Why is it happening at all? Why now?” she asked.
Although she is generally against passing negative resolutions, Lee said “I don’t think we have any other choice in this instance.”
Marty Milanowski made the lone vote against the resolution.
“As far as bringing in 30% more tourism, I don’t think that’s going to happen. I would be happy even if we get 10% more. I’m in favor of anything that would increase tourism. I’m not opposed or against the resolution. I’m going to vote no because I want more information,” he said before casting a vote.
Local News
Comments / 0