Overview
Title
To redesignate the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
H.R. 9111 is a plan to change the name of a special nature area called the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve. It says what activities can happen in each part, like where people can go hunting, and it wants to put up signs to teach visitors about the area's history.
Summary AI
H. R. 9111 proposes to change the designation of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve. The new designation will include two areas: Apostle Islands National Park and Sand Island National Preserve. The bill specifies regulations for managing these areas, including prohibiting hunting and trapping in the national park but allowing them in the preserve under existing conditions. It also mandates public references to the updated name and outlines additional interpretive features to educate visitors on the region's history.
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, seeks to redesignate the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve. This new designation would split the area into two distinct entities: Apostle Islands National Park and Sand Island National Preserve. The bill outlines how these areas will be managed and explicitly prohibits hunting and trapping in the National Park section while allowing these activities in the Preserve. Fishing regulations will remain consistent with prior practices. The document also mandates the inclusion of interpretive features at local visitor centers detailing the area's rich historical and cultural backdrop.
Significant Issues
The bill, as outlined, introduces several critical issues:
Budgetary Uncertainty: There is no specified budget or spending plan outlined for the administration and management of the newly designated National Park and Preserve. This absence might lead to fiscal uncertainties regarding funding necessary activities and facilities.
Enforcement and Regulatory Concerns: The differentiated regulations between the National Park and the Preserve, especially concerning hunting and trapping, may pose enforcement challenges. Without clear demarcation and guidelines, regulatory inconsistencies could arise.
Fishing Regulation Ambiguity: The reliance on previous fishing regulations lacks clarity, especially if past conditions have evolved. This could lead to operational difficulties or legal challenges.
Access to Reference Map: The bill refers to a map that is not included in the document, creating potential confusion about the exact boundaries of the Park and Preserve.
Administrative Transition: No timeline is provided for updating references from "Apostle Islands National Lakeshore" to the new designation, which might cause temporary legal and administrative confusion.
Visitor Center Features: While the bill calls for interpretive features at visitor centers, it lacks mention of financial planning for these projects, possibly affecting funding allocations.
Broad Public Impact
While the redesignation of the Apostle Islands may increase its attractiveness and visitation, there is potential for both benefits and concerns. Positively, the new designation could enhance environmental conservation efforts and cultural preservation, drawing more tourists and supporting local economies. Conversely, without clear budgetary plans and regulatory guidelines, there might be challenges in managing these popular destinations efficiently. This could lead to strained resources, reduced visitor satisfaction, and potential conflict between recreational users and conservation efforts.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Local Communities and Businesses: These groups might experience an economic boost from increased tourism, prompted by the areas’ enhanced national designation. However, they also face the risks of regulatory uncertainties and environmental pressures that come with such a shift.
Hunters and Anglers: Enforcement issues around differentiated activities between park sections could lead to confusion and potential conflicts, affecting stakeholders who rely on these areas for recreational or subsistence hunting and fishing.
Regulatory Bodies and Park Officials: These entities may face administrative burdens and challenges ensuring clear communication, proper enforcement, and effective transition while lacking explicit budgetary guidance.
Cultural and Historical Advocates: The inclusion of interpretive features may positively impact those invested in historical preservation, as these features aim to educate the public about the park’s cultural heritage. Yet, the financial uncertainty could hinder comprehensive realization of these educational components.
In summary, while the bill proposes a positive transformation for the Apostle Islands’ protection and public accessibility, it suggests several areas requiring further clarity and planning to avoid potential challenges impacting both the public at large and specific engaged stakeholders.
Issues
The bill does not specify any spending amounts or budget allocations for the administration of the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve (Section 2). This could lead to a lack of clarity on fiscal responsibility and potential issues with funding necessary activities or facilities.
The prohibition of hunting and trapping within Apostle Islands National Park, while allowing these activities in Sand Island National Preserve, may lead to enforcement challenges or confusion without clear demarcated zones or additional guidelines (Section 2). This could result in regulatory inconsistencies and difficulties in management.
There is ambiguity regarding how the Secretary of the Interior will implement the fishing regulations 'in the same manner' as before, especially if conditions or circumstances have changed since the date before enactment (Section 2). This could lead to legal challenges or operational difficulties if past practices are no longer suitable.
The bill's reliance on a 'Map' that is not directly provided in the document can create complexity for stakeholders who need access to the referenced boundaries (Section 2). Without direct access to this Map, there could be misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the park's and preserve's boundaries.
There are no timelines for transitional processes in updating references from 'Apostle Islands National Lakeshore' to 'Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve' (Section 2). This could lead to temporary confusion in legal documents and administrative processes, potentially resulting in legal ambiguities or inefficiencies.
The bill mentions the creation of interpretive features at visitor centers but does not address related financial implications or sourcing in the text (Section 2). This could pose budgetary challenges and affect the overall visitor experience if adequate funding is not secured.
The section that serves as the short title lacks clear information on spending or budgeting, which makes it difficult to assess potential wasteful spending (Section 1). This oversight could cause financial inefficiencies or mismanagement.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes that the official name of the Act is the "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act."
2. Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is renamed to "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve," which includes both Apostle Islands National Park and Sand Island National Preserve. The Park bans hunting and trapping, while the Preserve allows it under specific conditions. Fishing will be managed as it was before. References to the Lakeshore in laws and documents will now mean the new name, and a map of the area will be available for public inspection. Interpretive features about the area's history will be included at certain visitor centers.