Resolution

25-01

Town of Bayview, Bayfield County WI

In Opposition to the Redesignation of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to a National Park

Whereas, The Town of Bayview recognizes that the Gaa-Miskwaakikaang (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) is a sovereign nation; and,

Whereas, 22,400 square miles of northern Wisconsin, including all of Bayfield County, were ceded to the United States by the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribes in 1837, 1842, and 1854; and,

Whereas, The Gaa-Miskwaabikaang retain their sovereignty and treaty rights to hunt, fish, and gather in ceded territory; and,

Whereas, About 10 percent of Miskwaabikaang (Red Cliff Reservation) lands are part of Wenabozho Ominisan (Apostle Islands National Lakeshore) and the rest borders the Miskwaanbikaang tribal lands and is within ceded territory; and,

Whereas, In 2024 H. R. 9111 was proposed which would redesignate the Wenabozho Ominisan as the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve, and for other purposes; and,

Whereas, The stated reason for the proposed redesignation is to increase tourism to create economic growth by creating more jobs, private investment in hospitality facilities and services, and public infrastructure investments; and,

Whereas, There were no local public informational meetings held to inform the public, the tourism industry, and park users about the proposal which would have allowed the public to ask questions, receive answers, and to offer their suggestions and input about H. R. 9111; and,

Whereas, In spite of mulfiple requests, no feasibility study has been proposed or completed to establish what private and public facilities, accommodations, and infrastructure would be required to accommodate more tourists, and what nearby communifies’ capacities are for accommodating more tourists; and,

Whereas, There was no coordination with local tribal, county, city, or town governments or officials for meaningful information, communications, consultation, or questions answered prior to H. R. 9111 being introduced in Congress; and,

Whereas, the Tribe and Bayfield County passed a joint resolution opposing H. R. 9111 on September 18, 2024; and,

Whereas, Several other local units of government also passed resolutions opposing H. R. 9111 in 2024; and,

Whereas, The current National Lakeshore designation adequately and appropriately protects the natural, cultural, and historic resources while allowing for public use and enjoyment. The proposal is a ‘solution’ in search of a problem; and,

Whereas, The author of this legislation, Representative Tom Tiffany, has announced his plans to reintroduce the bill in 2025; and,

Whereas, Since H. R. 9111’s introduction in 2024 there has not been any meaningful communication with the Tribe or other local units of government, public informational meetings, or response addressing or answering the questions and concerns regarding the proposal.

Therefore, All of the questions and concerns expressed to Representative Tiffany by the Tribe, local units of government, tourism industry, park users, and citizens who would be the most affected by the proposal have not been acknowledged, addressed, nor answered; and,

Now, Therefore Be It Resolved: that The Town of Bayview of Bayfield County Wisconsin does hereby oppose legislation which would redesignate the Wenabozho Ominisan (Apostle Islands National Lakeshore) as the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve, and for other purposes; and,

Be It Further Resolved, that this resolution be sent to all of Wisconsin’s elected Federal Representatives and elected local State Officials.