Sleeping Bear Dunes “Wilderness” legislation highlighted for 2014 consideration
From staff reports
The office of U.S. Congressman Dan Benishek (a Republican representing Northern Michigan) reports that his legislation to protect Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore — both as wilderness and as a recreationally zoned Park that citizens can access and use — will take the next step toward becoming law when the House Committee on Natural Resources holds a Congressional mark-up hearing on the bill in January. The measure is co-sponsored by Senate Democrat Carl Levin.
“We are continuing to move forward with this legislation to protect this extraordinary stretch of shoreline,” Benishek said in a news release. “This plan was developed the right way—by local people in Northern Michigan. It wasn’t guys in Washington who came up with this; it was citizens in places like Leelanau County and Benzie County who drew up this plan. And I’m going to continue fighting for this important bill until it becomes law.”
Benishek’s legislation would designate approximately 32,500 acres of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as “wilderness” areas. This bill ensures that natural features of the area will be preserved, while protecting county roads, historical structures, and access to recreation and enjoyment of the lake. The right to hunt and fish in designated wilderness areas is specifically protected in this legislation.
“As you know, this legislation was created by my constituents,” Benishek continued. “They came together in response to a plan originally created by the National Park Service that they felt didn’t meet the needs of the local area. So, they came up with something different—a plan that guarantees beach access and the needs of the local community.”
Read our September feature story, “Sleeping Bear Wilderness legislation a potential win-win for Park and public” for more information about how this law would impact the Park, and how it represents a watershed moment of Park officials cooperating with local citizens.
