Resource Management Plan: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Banta, Alford; Castleberry, Don

The enabling legislation (Public Law 91-424; 1970) provides the primary guidance for resources management at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. It directs the park service to: conserve the islands and shorelines and their related geographic, scenic, and scientific values; to permit hunting, fishing, and trapping according to Federal and State laws; to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the lakeshore; and to provide for the public enjoyment and understanding of the unique natural historical, scientific, and archeological features of the lakeshore. The park is further directed in its management of natural and cultural resources by National Park Service (NPS) policies (e.g. Management Policies) provide guidance related to natural and cultural resource management. National Park Service policy related specifically to natural resources is found in the Natural Resource Management Guideline (NPS-77). The Cultural Resource Management Guideline (NPS-28) offers guidance on the management of cultural resources. Other Federal legislation, such as the NPS Organic Act (1916). the Wilderness Act (1964), the National Environmental Policy Act (1969), National Historic Preservation Act (1980), and the Archeological Resources Protection Act (1979) further strengthen the park's mandate to protect its significant natural and cultural resources. Park management is also influenced by treaties between the United States and Americans Indians. The lakeshore is within the ceded territory of the Lake Superior Chippewa and is a neighbor of the Red Cliff and Bad River Reservations. Existing treaty rights are a consideration in the management of the park's natural and cultural resources. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has an approved Statement for Management (SFM), General Management Plan (GMP), and Resources Management Plan (RMP). The natural and cultural resource sections of the 1986 RMP have been almost completely re-written in this version. The recently approved (1989) GMP identifies a gradient of park development for visitor experiences. Development (trails, campsites, docks) will be greatest on the mainland and inner island units, and minimal on the outer islands. The availability of NPS-provided programs will decrease proportionately to the distance from the mainland. Identified in the GMP is the need for a formal wilderness study. Of the lands and waters within the lakeshore that are under NPS jurisdiction, about 97% (41,054 acres) may be suitable for wilderness. The resource management plan has been written to provide guidance on how best to manage the natural and cultural resources of the lakeshore.