Options For Future Management,
or Instrument Of Surrender?

Review and Comments:

Options For Future Management
Of The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

September 22, 2006

Executive Summary

• The six historic light stations of the Apostle Islands comprise a treasure of national significance, and all elements of these sites merit preservation.

• The long-standing NPS practice of clearing the islands of traces of former structures has resulted in a situation where nearly all the few remaining use-and-occupancy properties contain structures of historic significance.

• Any development of additional campsites should consider the historic significance of the proposed locations, and the park's practice of directing development to existing clearings should be re-examined due to its adverse impact on historic and archeological values.

• The park should continue and expand its efforts to work cooperatively with Native American communities, and to incorporate the islands' indigenous heritage into interpretive programming. The interests and input of all traditionally associated peoples should be considered in park decision-making processes.

• The park's museum collection is an asset to the entire community, and any proposal to transfer it out of the park merits examination through the General Management Plan process. Removal of the collection to a distant storage location would deprive Bayfield and the surrounding communities of an important element of their heritage.

• Cost-effective interpretive opportunities, such as self-guiding trails, should be provided to visitors at selected historic sites located outside the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness.

• Despite the genuine funding issues facing the National Lakeshore, substantial resources are available to assist the NPS in the accomplishment of its stewardship responsibilities.

Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to review the issues and options so far identified for revision of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore General Management Plan.

I base my comments on twenty-seven years of experience as an employee of the National Park Service, the most recent twelve of which were spent at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. In my time at Apostle Islands, I served first as District Ranger, then as Cultural Resource Management Specialist, giving me thorough knowledge of the park's resource base, and its operational challenges.

I would like to commend the planning team for the effort they have expended so far in examining the issues facing the Lakeshore. The document produced, Options For Future Management, has clearly been composed by authors who share my deep concern for the future of the park.

It was my privilege to serve on the planning team during its early stages, before my retirement, and I vividly recall the energy and passion of the discussions that began this planning process. It is in that same spirit of dedication to the values of the park, and gratitude to those who established it, and to those who continue to care of it, that I offer my comments on the evolving plan.

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About the Author

Veteran NPS employee Bob Mackreth served as District Ranger (1992-1998) and Cultural Resource Management Specialist (1998-2005) at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

The Document Under Review

Options For Future Management
(PDF format; 2.8 Mb)