SAND ISLAND CAMPSITE AND DAY-USE PLAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE

The purpose of this plan is to determine how to correct a number of issues related to Sand Island visitor use facilities, respond to increasing visitor use and demand, enhance visitor experience, and increase Accessibility on the island. The Plan would help implement the park’s 2011 General Management Plan (GMP), which calls for increased camping opportunities, accessible trails, a day use area, and improved docking on Sand Island. Specific proposed actions include the following: 1. Replace the dock with a structure that improves protection for boaters and decreases impacts to coastal processes. 2. Relocate campsites and privies and re-route connecting trails. 3. Increase the number of campsites. 4. Provide for varying levels of accessible campsites and trails. There are four alternatives included within the plan/environmental assessment (EA):  Alternative A is continuation of current management.  Alternative B addresses a number of issues needed to enhance visitor experience, but on a limited scale. It remedies the issue of trails being routed through campsites, relocates the vault toilet that is within group campsite A, and replaces the north and south docks with an improved dock (straight design). The total number of individual sites is increased by one, a day-use area is included, and accessibility is improved.  Alternative C addresses issues needed to enhance visitor experience on a larger scale than under Alternative B. It remedies the issue of trails being routed through campsites and relocates the vault toilet that is within group campsite A. The north and south docks are replaced by one with an L-shaped design, providing more protection from easterly winds. The total number of individual sites is increased by two and the number of group campsites increased by one. This alternative also provides a greater amount of accessible features, including trails, group camping and a day-use area.  Alternative D (preferred alternative) addresses issues needed to enhance visitor experience on a larger scale than under either Alternative B or C. Similar to Alternative C, trails are rerouted so they don’t go through campsites, the vault toilet in group campsite A is relocated, and the north and south docks are by one with an L-shaped design. The total number of individual sites are increased by three and the number of group campsites are increased by one. This alternative also provides the greatest amount of accessible features, including the longest length of accessible trail, both group and individual campsites, and a day-use area.