Planning Documents and Reports

Foundation Document (2017)

The Foundation Document describes the unit's purpose, significance, fundamental resources and values, primary interpretive themes, and special mandates.

General Management Plan (2011)

Comprehensive park plan that guides the long-term management of resources, visitor use, and general development at the park. This document includes the Wilderness Management Plan for the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness and an Environmental Impact Statement.

Climate Friendly Action Plan (2008)

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore belongs to a network of parks that are putting climate friendly behavior at the forefront of park planning and operations in national parks. By conducting an emission inventory, setting an emission reduction target and developing this Action Plan, the park is serving as a model for climate friendly behavior within the National Park Service. (accessible PDF)

Harvestable Species Plan (2014)

The purpose of the Harvestable Species Plan is to provide direction for managing harvestable species within Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Harvestable species includes wildlife that can be legally hunted or trapped, as well as plant species that can be legally gathered by the general public or tribal members as part of their treaty reserved rights.

Historic Structure and Cultural Landscape Reports: Michigan, Outer, Devils, Long, and Sand Islands (2011)

These documents provide a comprehensive understanding of structures and landscapes associated with the light stations, as well as how they collectively tell the intriguing story of the history of navigation in the Apostle Islands region. These documents are being used to guide management and protection of these important cultural resources. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was also completed to analyze the environmental impacts of implementing various management actions needed to protect cultural and natural resources, improve visitor experience and access, improve public health and safety, and provide more effective management of the light stations within the park.

• Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Volume I: Introduction and Overall Development History
• Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Volume II: Michigan Island.
• Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Volume III: Outer Island.
• Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Volume IV: Devils Island.
• Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Volume V: Long Island.
• Cultural Landscape Report, Historic Structures Report, and Environmental Assessment, Volume VI: Sand Island.

Historic Structure and Cultural Landscape Reports: Raspberry Island

• Raspberry Island Light Station: Cultural Landscape Inventory (2009).

• Cultural Landscape Report and Environmental Assessment: Raspberry Island Light Station (2004).

• Historic Structure Report: Raspberry Island Lighthouse (2000).

A Unique Collection of Islands - The Influence of History, Politics, Policy and Planning on the Establishment of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (1994)

This report reflects the author's interpretation of the events which led to the establishment of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With the help of old records and interviews this report contains information about the history and influence of politics, policy, and planning on the establishment of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Visitor Study (2004)

This report describes the results of a visitor study at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Long-Range Interpretive Plan

Long-Range Interpretive Plans (LRIPs) provide a vision for the future (5-10 years) of interpretation, education, and visitor experience opportunities.