Apostle Islands National Park Bill to be Re-Introduced in Congress

The Apostle Islands could still become the first national park in Wisconsin as Congressman Tom Tiffany plans to re-introduce the bill.

Congressman Tiffany initially introduced the legislation over the summer, receiving strong pushback from local officials. The Bayfield County Board voted to oppose the proposal over the summer, criticizing both the proposal and the perceived lack of coordination between Congressman Tiffany and local government officials.

Both those local officials and residents expressed concerns over the potential tourism growth the change in designation could bring. According to Bayfield Mayor Ted Dougherty, when the bill was originally introduced the city was already at capacity between balancing its current tourism industry with the need for affordable housing. Designating the Apostle Islands as a national park is expected to draw even more tourists, placing a potentially unmanageable strain on the city’s resources.

Many also expressed concerns over the impact the proposal would have on the environment of the Apostle Islands, as well as potential issues with tribal treaty rights and infrastructure.

Eventually, the bill did not pass in the previous session of Congress. According to a Northern News Now report however, Congressman Tiffany is planning to re-introduce the bill in the next session. Amid the criticisms levied against the bill over the summer, Congressman Tiffany also said he would likely amend the bill before introducing it again.

If the Apostle Islands are designated a national park, officials expect an increase in the number of visitors spending money in the region as well as the creation of more jobs. While local officials did push back on the plan originally, many still expressed support for the idea and say they would support a bill that addressed their environmental and tribal rights concerns.