On Sunday, August 25th, a bit of history was made in the Apostle Islands – for the very first time in the 54 year history of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, a sitting National Park Service Director visited the Apostle Islands to see the beauty and learn first-hand of the challenges facing the park.

NPS Director Chuck Sams – NPS photo

“We appreciate Director Sams including us in his visit,” Rennicke continued. “His presence in our park and at Meyers Beach was a testament to the efforts of all of our supporters to make a difference in our park and beyond.”

Below you can read the official NPS press release concerning the Director’s swing through Midwest parks. Stay tuned for more photographs of his visit to the Apostle Islands when they become available.

National Park Service Director Chuck Sams highlights Great American Outdoors Act Projects and tribal co-stewardship during trip to National Parks in Minnesota and Wisconsin

BAYFIELD, Wis. (National Park Service News Release) – National Park Service Director Chuck Sams today finished a multi-day trip to Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin where he met with Tribal nations, reviewed large-scale infrastructure repair and improvement projects funded by the landmark Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), and celebrated the NPS birthday with park staff and visitors on August 25.

GAOA’s Legacy Restoration Fund is providing up to $1.3 billion a year for five years for hundreds of historic preservation and large-scale infrastructure projects in national parks throughout the country.

At Voyageurs National Park on August 22-23, Sams previewed a critical $12 million GAOA project that will replace an underwater power distribution line which services the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, with an additional $6 million to resurface two park roads. The projects are expected to begin in 2025 with 11 miles of underwater electrical line being replaced and nine miles of road resurfaced.

Replacement of the Kettle Falls electric line is vital to the continued enjoyment of the popular site, which is a destination for a third of all Voyageurs visitors. The remote hotel, which is only accessible by boat or seaplane, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an important stop off point and fueling station for those traveling through the area.

The electric line replacement and road repair projects are estimated to address $18 million in deferred maintenance at the park. Once completed, the hotel will be equipped with backup generators and associated infrastructure designed to deal with expected changes in water level and weather patterns related to climate change. It is estimated that after completion of the project, the power line will not require major recapitalization or modernization for approximately 50 years.

At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on August 24-25, Sams surveyed two key GAOA projects, met with leaders from neighboring Tribal nations about co-stewardship topics, reviewed an accessibility project with local partners, and visited a historic light station on Outer Island.

NPS released new guidance in 2022 to improve federal stewardship of national park lands and waters by strengthening the role of American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes, Alaska Natives entities, and the Native Hawaiian Community in federal land management. The new co-stewardship policy provides a stronger framework beyond traditional consultation to help park managers facilitate and support working relationships with Tribes.

Sams saw several examples of the positive impacts of GAOA on the park, including two historic structures that recently received new roofs. The work was performed by a GAOA-funded Maintenance Action Team composed of NPS employees skilled in historic restoration and preservation techniques. The crew was required to camp on the remote island to install the historically compatible, more resilient metal roof shingles with an anticipated life span of more than 50 years.

In addition, a proposed multi-million-dollar GAOA project would rehabilitate and re-armor the 75-year-old dock at the Outer Island Light. Continued maintenance, repair and operation of the dock is vital to the park’s Outer Island operations, including the care of historic structures and the cultural landscape.

Sams also toured a project at Meyers Beach that added a ramp for more accessible beach and sea access to nearby sea caves for kayakers. The work was funded with assistance from Friends of the Apostle Islands, the National Park Foundation, and the Centennial Challenge program.

On August 25, Sams wrapped up the trip sharing some birthday cake with Apostle Islands National Lakeshore employees and visitors to celebrate the 108th birthday of NPS.

Photo credit: National Park Service Director Chuck Sams (left) tours Outer Island with park staff at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. NPS/B. Flynn