1 / 27

The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association presents the Lake Michigan

The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association presents the Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail. The Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail. Making the Lake accessible to human powered watercraft. What is a National Recreational Trail?.

tomai
Download Presentation

The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association presents the Lake Michigan

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association presents the Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail

  2. The Lake MichiganNational Recreational Water Trail Making the Lake accessible to human powered watercraft

  3. What is a National Recreational Trail? The National Trail System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543) authorized creation of a national trail system comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. The National Recreation Trails Program supports designated NRT's with an array of benefits, including promotion, technical assistance, networking and access to funding. New designations of National Recreation Trails are announced each year, generally by the Secretary of Interior prior to National Trails Day in June.

  4. What are the criteria forNRT designation? • The trail must be open to public use and be designed, constructed, and maintained according to best management practices, in keeping with the use anticipated. Trails that demonstrate state-of-the-art design and management are especially encouraged to apply for NRT designation. • The trail is in compliance with applicable land use plans and environmental laws. • The trail will be open for public use for at least 10 consecutive years after designation. • NRT designation must be supported by the landowner(s), public or private, whose property the trail crosses.

  5. In 2004 USEPA’s Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) proposed a Lake Michigan Water Trail… • Proposed Lake Michigan Water Trail • The creation of Great Lakes automobile and bike trails around Lake Michigan and the creation of several water trails around the lake has led to discussions of linking the emerging water trails into a larger system of water trails by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and LaMP committees. • The Lake Michigan Water Trail program would encourage coordination among lakefront communities to… • develop a water trail segment that links their communities and • provide a safe, educational, and legal access experience to Lake Michigan. • Water trail creation brings together a broad coalition of interested groups including public land managing entities, self-powered boating interests, environmental and historical groups, private property owners, tourism offices, and physical activity advocates. • The Rivers and Trails Program of the NPS will provide technical assistance to communities who wish to participate in water trail development.

  6. Why create a Lake MichiganNational Recreational Water Trail? • Enhanced Quality of Life – solitude, open space, increased property values • Recreation – low cost, environmentally friendly • Eco-Tourism • Economic Benefits – food, lodging, new businesses • Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reach • Environmental Education

  7. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Existing Assets • Only Great Lake entirely within the U.S. • Existing watertrails in all four states • Existing access sites in all four states • Sea kayaking clubs in all four states • Existing lakeside tourism infrastructure – • Great Circle Tour • Chicago, Milwaukee • National Lakeshores • Door County

  8. The Lake MichiganNational Recreational Water TrailCurrent Conditions • Chicago & Indiana watertrails are complete • Portions of watertrails in Wisconsin & Michigan • Lake Michigan Water Trail Association established • Campaign now for membership and NRT designation

  9. Lake Michigan National Water TrailChallenges • Major gaps in 3 states • Limited funding for new access • Limited or no lodging and/or camping for long stretches

  10. Lake Michigan National Water TrailRecent & Upcoming Events • April 2010 Indiana paddlers visit Washington D.C. and meet with congressional members who express support for a Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail • June 5, 2010 – Tour of the Indiana Dunes – National Trails Day event • Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition - Aug 21 – 22, 2010 Michigan City, IN. to St. Joseph Michigan

  11. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Survey of Access in each State

  12. At most sites it doesn’t take much to create access

  13. Lake Michigan National Water TrailIndiana

  14. Lake Michigan National Water TrailIllinois

  15. Lake Michigan National Water TrailSouthern Wisconsin section • Approximately 350 miles of shoreline trail • Approximately 120 access sites • Largest gap = 17 miles • 1st water trail access only campsite • created in 2009

  16. Lake Michigan National Water TrailNorthern Wisconsin section

  17. Lake Michigan National Water TrailMichigan section • 1,000 miles of shoreline • 300+ access sites • 30 campgrounds on Lower Peninsula shore • 20 campgrounds on Upper Peninsula shore • Longest gap = 21 miles

  18. What is a Heritage Water Trail? “Heritage water trails are routes on navigable waterways such as rivers, lakes, and canals designed and implemented to foster an interactive historical education experience.”

  19. Lake Michigan National Water TrailMichigan

  20. Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Traila functioning watertrail on Lake Huron

  21. The Lake MichiganWater Trail Association

  22. The Lake MichiganWater Trail Association Purpose – The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association will work to create a continuous water trail for non-motorized watercraft around Lake Michigan and obtain the National Recreation Trail designation. The Association will work to promote the development of paddler friendly facilities around the lake by bringing together stake holders from the four states bordering the lake, including site owners, paddling clubs, state and city governments, federal agencies, local businesses, and private land holders. Launch sites, services, and businesses that actively support paddlerson Lake Michigan will be promoted to make Lake Michigan a premier paddling destination.

  23. The Lake MichiganWater Trail Association Target Membership… • Paddlers • Paddling Clubs • Federal Agencies…NPS & USEPA • Planning Agencies • Illinois, Indiana, Michigan & Wisconsin DNR’s • Large Site Owners…Nat’l Lakeshores, Chgo. Park Dist., etc. • Businesses....marinas, restaurants, bed & breakfasts

  24. The Lake MichiganWater Trail AssociationActivities • Promotion & Development • Planning & coordination • Website • Maps & Guides • Events – • State Water Trail Days • The Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition • Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reach

  25. What can you do? • Join the Lake Michigan Water Trail Association • Participate in your state’s LMWT committee • Promote LMWTA membership in your paddling club • Participate in Lake Michigan Water Trail events • Attend the Lake Michigan Water Trail Planning Conference

  26. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Thank You Lake Michigan Water Trail Association www.lmwt.org

More Related