News Release

National Park Service Announces Availability of Windigo Development Concept Plan and Environmental Assessment for Public Review and Comment

Date: July 20, 2018
Contact: Liz Valencia, 906-487-7153

HOUGHTON, MICH. –  Today, Isle Royale National Park (ISRO) released for public review and comment the draft Windigo Development Concept Plan/Environmental Assessment (DCP/EA). The DCP/EA includes several individual projects for the Windigo area, including new structures, improvements to existing structures, roads and trails, and interpretive areas and exhibits.  The priority infrastructure projects proposed include a concession store, an accessible visitor trail, additional cabin campers and a renovated septic system.  The projects would be constructed in phases as funding becomes available.
 
The draft DCP/EA is open for public review and comment for 30 days, concluding August 20, 2018, at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/WindigoDCP . 
 
The development of a DCP is necessary to improve facilities at Windigo that are in poor physical condition, to provide universal access, and to improve the visitors’ arrival experience. A recent increase in visitors is stressing the capacity of the existing visitor facilities. Visitors to Isle Royale have increased by approximately 50 percent in the last 3 years. The purpose of the DCP is to guide the development of  facilities (through modification, replacement, or development of new facilities), improve accessibility, improve interpretative exhibits and areas, and create a sense of arrival at Isle Royale through a unified architectural theme.
 
The National Park Service is inviting the public to review the DCP and EA and will be accepting comments through the park planning website, http://parkplanning.nps.gov/WindigoDCP, over the next 30 days, from July 20, 2018 to August 20, 2018. 
 
After analyzing public input, the National Park Service will analyze substantive comments, provide a public comment report and revise the DCP/EA as appropriate.  A decision document is expected in late December, 2018. 


 
  
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