Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - General Mgmt. Plan / Wilderness Study (U.S. National Park Service)

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is currently in the process of developing a new General Management Plan/Wilderness Study, a document that will provide long-term management guidance for the park. Much has changed at the National Lakeshore since 1979 when the first GMP was written. The National Park Service (NPS) is actively seeking public participation to develop a new General Management Plan/Wilderness Study that will address these changes. Our goal is for the new plan to represent a wide range of views, and maintain a variety of recreational opportunities, from drive-to beaches to solitary hikes, while continuing to preserve and protect the nationally significant natural and cultural resources of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

This site is designed to provide up-to-date information and allow you to express your thoughts and ideas during the planning process.

Letter from the Superintendent

Dear Friends:

I would like to thank everyone who provided comments on the Draft General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement (GMP/WS) and/or participated in the public hearings held in Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau Counties on June 3, 4, and 5, 2008. Your continued interest and input has been vital in developing a meaningful new plan for the future management of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

This completes the last public comment period of the general management planning effort. The planning team has already begun the next step - analyzing the public comments. Over the course of the next few months, planners will make changes to the Preferred Alternative based on the public input we have received and prepare the Final General Management Plan/Wilderness Study/Environmental Impact Statement. We are very pleased to be right on schedule and fully anticipate the Final GMP/WS and Record of Decision will be completed by December 31, 2008. The final documents will be available for distribution in hardcopy or CD, and will also be posted on our park website.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your continued interest and for making our recent GMP/WS public comment period another success. The comments received will be instrumental to the development of the final plan. We realize people value this very special place for many different reasons - the comments reflect that - and I believe that together, we have developed a balance the vast majority of people will be able to support. I am confident the final plan will maintain a variety of recreational opportunities, from drive-to beaches to solitary hikes, while continuing to preserve and protect the natural and cultural resources of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore entrusted to our care for this and future generations.

Please continue to check the park’s website to access the latest GMP/WS information or for more information call (231) 326-5134.

We could not have done this without you. My heartfelt thanks and appreciation!

Sincerely,

Dusty Shultz
Superintendent

GMP Links