NPS Voyageurs National Park staff have created a variety of documents that share the park's current work and future planning efforts.Take a look at any one of the links below to find out more about what's happening in the park.Voyageurs National Park Five-Year Priorities 2018 to 2022 (PDF)Voyageurs Foundation Document Voyageurs General Managment Plan National Park Service Natural Resource Condition Assessment Voyageurs National Park National Park Service Deferred Maintenance Reports Crane Like Visitor Center Community NewslettersAugust 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:On August 22 and 23, the park hosted National Park Service Director Chuck Sams, NPS Chief of Staff Susan Farinelli, and Native American Liaison Dorothy Firecloud. The visit focused on reviewing key projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act. At Voyageurs, the two major projects include replacing 11 miles of underwater electric cable that provides power to Kettle Falls ($14.89M) and resurfacing the park’s main roads and trailhead parking areas ($6.4M). Both projects are in the planning stages, with fieldwork potentially beginning in late 2025. July 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:Here you will find information from our various teams for the month of July. These efforts are crucial in keeping our parks and facilities safe, accessible, and enjoyable for all visitors. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, from the National Park staff, our partners in the Voyageurs Conservancy, volunteers, and many others in the community. June 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:In June, Voyageurs held an all-employee meeting where we were able to introduce the summer staff, conduct important safety and resource training, and kick off the summer on a positive note. The superintendent initiated public scoping related to the Frozen Lake Use Plan, hosting three meeting opportunities and the public comment period open from May 28 through June 28. He also assisted with eagle banding in the park in late June. May 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:In May the superintendent opened the 30-day public scoping period related to the park’s Frozen Lake Use Plan, traveled to Crane Lake for a walkthrough of the visitor center construction, held a bi-annual Voyageurs Affairs meeting with elected officials, and attended the International Falls Convention and Visitor Bureau monthly meeting and annual resort/hotel operator meeting. May 2024 Community Check-in Highlights: April 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:This month, the superintendent attended a Zone meeting with superintendents from MN, WI, IA, and northern MI. He also met with the Voyageurs Conservancy’s Executive Director to prepare for their annual Spring Thaw fundraiser, which he attended in Minneapolis on April 25. March 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:This month, the superintendent attended the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum and scheduled some much-needed annual leave. He has been busy reviewing applicants to fill the Lead of Interpretation position and developing communication related to the upcoming scoping of the Frozen Lake Plan which will be held in June. February 2024 Community Check-in Highlights:This month, the superintendent attended Frozen Lake Plan and Border Park Zone meetings, and met with one of the park’s partners, the Jefferson National Parks Association. He also traveled to Grand Portage, MN mid-month to attend the Heart of the Continent Partnership meeting. He has been busy reviewing applicants to fill the Lead of Interpretation position and developing communication related to the upcoming scoping of the Frozen Lake Plan which will be held in June. December 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:During December the superintendent attended the Minnesota Incident Command System annual meeting in Duluth, and traveled to St. Louis, MO to attend the board meeting of the Jefferson National Parks Association, which is the park’s official cooperative association that manages the sales and merchandise in our visitor center gift shops and enables us to sell educational materials about Voyageurs National Park history, culture, and resources. November 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:Happy Holiday Season to everyone. The park continues shoulder season operations through the month of November with staff working on putting boats away and getting snowmobiles, groomers, and other winter trail equipment ready for the upcoming winter season. It tends to be a quiet time of year in the park with many taking leave for Thanksgiving and the hunting season. October 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:This month, the superintendent attended several general meetings related to Crane Lake Visitor Center leasing, a future project to repave several park roads, the Rainy Lake Developed Area plan, and Frozen Lake Plan alternatives. The park also distributed a press release about posting the public comment analysis report on the Frozen Lake Plan. Staff completed walkthrough of the rehabilitation project at the historic Kabetogama boat house project and the superintendent had meeting with the Kettle Falls operators about a temporary contract for operation over the next three years. September 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:During September the park presented to the NPS’ Investment Review Board (IRB) related to future repaving of Ash River and Rainy Roads (this project may be funded in 2025/2026). The superintendent also attended the annual Voyageurs Conservancy onsite board meeting at Crane Lake and the annual Midwest Region (MWR) superintendent’s workshop in St. Paul. August 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:During August the superintendent worked on messaging and modifications related to the Kabetogama boat launch project. The closure was moved from September 11 to the 18th. There were park visits by Senator Smith’s staff, and the NPS’s regional lead for facilities. July 2023 Community Check-in HighlightsJuly has brought more rain that has helped us move out of fire severity, allowing us to lift campfire restrictions late in the month. This July was the 10th anniversary of the National Parks and Conservation Association, Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club, and Voyageurs collaborating on a Rat Root River restoration project. June 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:June was very dry with severe fire conditions, the park called in a wildland fire engine crew to assist our onsite wildland fire staff with patrolling for fire starts. In coordination with the US Forest Service and the MN Department of Natural Resources, the park implemented a burn restriction that went from 6/13 through 6/30. May 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:It seems that May went from ice to the throws of summer in no time flat. Staff at the park participated in the Kabetogama Lake, Rainy Lake, and Crane Lake Association meetings, and held the annual Houseboat Operators meeting in preparation for the season. April 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:We have been watching weather and water levels closely, in cooperation with other area agencies, for the potential of flooding. Thankfully, with the snow melt and spring precipitation the potential for flooding seems averted. The Frozen Lake Plan preliminary proposal comment period is open until June 3. March 2023 Community Check-in Highlights:As the 2023 winter season wraps up, we are pleased to report it was a successful month with multiple park users. The final winter Dark Sky full moon hike was held with 29 participants. Both the Kab-Ash and Rainy Lake Ice Roads have closed for the season and with the amazing display of northern lights in March, the ice roads saw a lot of activity. Snowmobile trail stakes will be pulled this week thus trails will be closed due to the warming temperatures. The Maintenance Team was awarded the 2022 Maintenance Facility Team of the Year Award for the Midwest Region. January / February 2023 Community Check-inWe are working on making improvements to the monthly park newsletter in the coming issues and will be continuing to use the monthly newsletter to keep our community in the loop on all things Voyageurs. Visitor and Resource Protection Team created a joint partnership with the Polar Polers Ski Club and a 3-day ski event was co-hosted on February 24 - 26 where more than 100 people participated. The Interpetation, Education, and Reservation team collaborated with six agencies / partners to bring the first annual winter Boreal Stargazing Week to Minnesota. It was held February 19 - 24. |
Last updated: September 27, 2024