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July 31, 2002NPS presents a 'Letter to the Public'Letter to the PublicThe past few weeks have been very enlightening to us with the distribution of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore General Management Plan Newsletter #4 and the public meetings. So far, we have received numerous written public comments and we have heard your concerns during the public meetings held on July 9, 10 and 11. The proposal outlined in the preliminary preferred alternative was just that - preliminary. The document that the park released was a newsletter describing alternatives developed to date and was not the plan. We often find ourselves in a dilemma in a public planning process. By naming a preferred alternative, we are often viewed as having made up our minds; if we do not select a preferred alternative, we are viewed as not wanting to air our thoughts. The positive aspect is that, either way, we generally hear strongly from the public, as was the case here at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Local public comments, as well as those from our national constituency, will have a prominent place in our deliberations as we further refine the alternatives. We have heard the passionate outcry from groups and individuals who have criticized our Preliminary Preferred Alternative #4. We have heard the concerns about the application of wilderness policies including access, roads and trails and the management of non-native species, specifically the Coho salmon and deer on North Manitou Island. We have also heard from those who liked the preliminary preferred proposal. Most noteworthy was your desire for us to maintain the traditional importance of recreation while ensuring that the preservation of the natural wonders of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore remains undiminished. We also heard that most of you are pleased with the current operation, facilities and services of the Lakeshore. In that regard, it is important to note that much of the Lakeshore has been managed as wilderness ever since a wilderness proposal, mandated by law, was transmitted to the Department of the Interior in 1982. Under National Park Service policy, land that has been found suitable for wilderness must be managed as wilderness unless specifically rejected by Congress. We regret that we did not stress this point in the newsletter. Those of you who said you liked the way the Lakeshore was currently managed would then have seen that our preliminary preferred alternative, with its wilderness aspects, would largely be an extension of the current management program. The National Park Service has set a goal to preserve and restore as much of the natural environment as possible, including the elimination of non-native species in the Lakeshore. Before proposing the elimination of the non-native fish in the preliminary preferred alternative, we should have consulted more extensively with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to determine the feasibility of such an action. Based on what we now know and in consideration of the related environmental and economic impacts, it is very likely that the proposal to remove Coho salmon will be eliminated from future proposals. We are willing to re-evaluate the road closure issues. We know that Benzie and Leelanau Counties have most of the road rights-of-way which were proposed to be converted to trails or reclaimed. We realize that until such time as the roads become available, this particular proposal is beyond our authority. We will seek solutions, where our mandate allows, and be flexible where possible. We also recognize that we cannot please everyone on every issue. Three things specifically stay in the forefront of our minds and will encourage us to thoughtfully re-evaluate and reconsider our proposal, to do the right thing - to use common sense and try to develop and rebuild a sense of trust in YOUR National Parks and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: 1. You care deeply for the rich heritage and resources of this area. 2. You are fiercely dedicated to ensuring that these precious resources are available for the enjoyment of all people (regardless of age or disability) - the million visitors each year including our neighbors, the local residents who have cherished the area for generations. 3. You project the strongest sense of community in the preservation and protection of the resources so that you, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren can all share in the memorable experiences of this special place. We also share your love of this national treasure. We will strive to work hard at fostering better relationships and understanding in the preservation and protection of the resource and the visitor experience. We remain committed to our pursuit of strengthening partnerships to help achieve shared goals and communicate them to the many valued stewards of these treasured lands - you and the million visitors who appreciate this magnificent place. We are committed to working closer with the members of Congress, the Michigan DNR, Benzie and Leelanau Counties and their Road Commissions, the Tribes, other federal, state and local governments, private organizations and citizens of the area to ensure that the National Park Service and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a partner in achieving our shared goals of preserving this special place for this and future generations. We are pleased that many of you took the time to consider the proposals and offer your own suggestions and perspectives in writing and at the public meetings. All of your comments are greatly appreciated and welcomed. Many of your suggestions are very thoughtful and creative and showed a keen insight to your values for the future of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, its use and its preservation and protection. Please know that we read and thoughtfully consider each comment that is received. We encourage you to help assist us in developing plans for the future of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore throughout the planning process. We will release the Draft General Management Plan for further public input and comment this winter. We are pleased to extend the public comment period on Newsletter #4 to Labor Day, September 2nd. Dusty Shultz, Superintendent Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore |
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