Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act
Summary
H.R. 5497, the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act, seeks to redesignate the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve. This includes establishing specific boundaries for the park and preserve areas. The bill outlines administrative guidelines, particularly regarding hunting, fishing, and trapping regulations within the newly designated areas.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be a change in name and potentially some administrative adjustments regarding land use. Hunting and fishing regulations will largely remain consistent with prior practices, except for specific restrictions within the 'National Park' portion. The bill also emphasizes the preservation of treaty rights for Native American tribes.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced recognition and potential increased tourism due to the 'National Park' designation.
- Continued access to traditional hunting, fishing, and trapping activities in the 'National Preserve' area.
- Preservation of tribal treaty rights related to resource use.
- Inclusion of interpretive features at visitor centers to educate the public about the region's history.
- Codification of existing practices into law, providing greater certainty for stakeholders.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential restrictions on hunting and trapping within the 'National Park' portion of the redesignated area.
- Possible confusion or administrative burden during the transition from 'National Lakeshore' to 'National Park and Preserve'.
- The bill's reliance on a map not included in the document makes it difficult to assess the precise impact of boundary designations.
- Potential for increased visitation to strain resources and infrastructure.
- The act does not address potential climate change impacts on the region.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Property Clause (Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2) of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate federal lands and property. It also respects treaty rights, which are recognized under the Supremacy Clause (Article VI, Clause 2). The bill does not appear to infringe on any individual rights or freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).