Central Wisconsin News

Wisconsin Representative Tom Tiffany has proposed that the Apostle Islands be designated as a National Park. He said that this move would "preserve these Lake Superior treasures," "honor our state’s heritage," and provide lasting benefits to surrounding communities.

"Wisconsin's Apostle Islands are a national treasure and deserve the distinction of becoming the state's first National Park," said Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wi). "Elevating the Apostle Islands would continue to preserve these Lake Superior treasures, honor our state's heritage, and deliver lasting benefits to surrounding communities for generations to come."

According to Tiffany, he reintroduced the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act with the aim of redesignating the Apostle Islands from a National Lakeshore, established in 1970, to Wisconsin’s first National Park. The legislation maintains existing boundaries, designates Sand Island as a National Preserve to preserve hunting access, and ensures management and protection remain under the National Park Service. Recreational activities, including fishing, will continue under current management, and mining is prohibited consistent with the Mining in the Parks Act of 1976. All references to "National Lakeshore" in laws or maps are updated to reflect the new designation.

The act also preserves Tribal sovereignty and treaty rights, confirming that hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering rights remain unaffected by the redesignation. The Secretary of the Interior will administer the park and preserve as a single unit of the National Park System. Principal visitor centers will include interpretive features such as historical signage about the Ojibwe tribes, early European settlers, fur trade, logging, lighthouses, stone quarries, commercial fishing, and a copy of the Act with an official map available for public inspection.

Tiffany noted that this legislation follows precedent set by Indiana Dunes' transition from a National Lakeshore to a National Park in 2019. Supporters include several members of Congress, local officials, county boards, city mayors, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations. Elevating the Apostle Islands is expected to provide additional conservation resources, enhance recognition, and increase economic activity for surrounding communities.

Representing Wisconsin's 7th Congressional District since May 2020 following a special election, Tiffany grew up on a dairy farm near Elmwood, Wisconsin. He holds a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Before serving in Congress, Tiffany was part of both the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate where he focused on tax reduction initiatives, job creation efforts, and protecting 2nd Amendment rights.