The Lake Michigan Water Trail The Lake Michigan Water Trail AssociationAssociation

presents thepresents the

Lake MichiganLake MichiganNational Recreational Water National Recreational Water

TrailTrail

The Lake MichiganThe Lake MichiganNational Recreational Water National Recreational Water

TrailTrailMaking the Lake accessible to human powered Making the Lake accessible to human powered watercraftwatercraft

What is a National Recreational What is a National Recreational Trail?Trail?

The National Trail System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543) authorizedcreation 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.

What are the criteria forWhat are the criteria forNRT designation?NRT designation?• The trail must be open to public use and be designed, The trail must be open to public use and be designed,

constructed, and maintained according to best constructed, and maintained according to best management practices, in keeping with the use management practices, in keeping with the use anticipated. Trails that demonstrate state-of-the-art anticipated. Trails that demonstrate state-of-the-art design and management are especially encouraged to design and management are especially encouraged to apply for NRT designation.apply for NRT designation.

• The trail is in compliance with applicable land use The trail is in compliance with applicable land use plans and environmental laws.plans and environmental laws.

• The trail will be open for public use for at least 10 The trail will be open for public use for at least 10 consecutive years after designation.consecutive years after designation.

• NRT designation must be supported by the NRT designation must be supported by the landowner(s), public or private, whose property the landowner(s), public or private, whose property the trail crosses. trail crosses.

In 2004 USEPA’s Lakewide Management Plan In 2004 USEPA’s Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) proposed a Lake Michigan Water (LaMP) proposed a Lake Michigan Water Trail…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.

Why create a Lake MichiganWhy create a Lake MichiganNational Recreational Water National Recreational Water Trail?Trail?• Enhanced Quality of Life Enhanced Quality of Life – solitude, open – solitude, open

space, increased property valuesspace, increased property values

• Recreation – Recreation – low cost, environmentally friendlylow cost, environmentally friendly

• Eco-TourismEco-Tourism• Economic Benefits – Economic Benefits – food, lodging, new food, lodging, new

businessesbusinesses

• Stewardship – Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reachadopt a site, adopt a reach

• Environmental EducationEnvironmental Education

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

Existing Assets Existing Assets• Only Great Lake entirely within the U.S.Only Great Lake entirely within the U.S.

• Existing watertrails in all four statesExisting watertrails in all four states

• Existing access sites in all four statesExisting access sites in all four states

• Sea kayaking clubs in all four statesSea kayaking clubs in all four states

• Existing lakeside tourism infrastructure – Existing lakeside tourism infrastructure – – Great Circle TourGreat Circle Tour– Chicago, MilwaukeeChicago, Milwaukee– National LakeshoresNational Lakeshores– Door CountyDoor County

The Lake MichiganThe Lake MichiganNational Recreational Water National Recreational Water TrailTrail Current ConditionsCurrent Conditions

• Chicago & Indiana watertrails are completeChicago & Indiana watertrails are complete

• Portions of watertrails in Wisconsin & MichiganPortions of watertrails in Wisconsin & Michigan

• Lake Michigan Water Trail Association establishedLake Michigan Water Trail Association established

• Campaign now for membership and NRT Campaign now for membership and NRT designationdesignation

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

ChallengesChallenges• Major gaps in 3 statesMajor gaps in 3 states

• Limited funding for new accessLimited funding for new access

• Limited or no lodging and/or camping Limited or no lodging and/or camping for long stretches for long stretches

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

Recent & Upcoming EventsRecent & Upcoming Events

• April 2010 Indiana paddlers visit Washington D.C. April 2010 Indiana paddlers visit Washington D.C. and meet with congressional members who express and meet with congressional members who express support for a Lake Michigan National Recreational support for a Lake Michigan National Recreational Water TrailWater Trail

• June 5June 5,, 2010 – Tour of the Indiana Dunes – National 2010 – Tour of the Indiana Dunes – National Trails Day eventTrails Day event

• Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition - Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition - Aug 21 – 22, Aug 21 – 22,

20102010 Michigan City, IN. to St. Joseph Michigan Michigan City, IN. to St. Joseph Michigan

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

Survey of Access in each State Survey of Access in each State

At most sites it doesn’t take much to create At most sites it doesn’t take much to create accessaccess

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail IndianaIndiana

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

IllinoisIllinois

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

Southern Wisconsin Southern Wisconsin sectionsection

•Approximately 350 miles of shoreline trail

•Approximately 120 access sites

•Largest gap = 17 miles

•1st water trail access only campsite created in 2009

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail Northern Wisconsin Northern Wisconsin sectionsection

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail Michigan sectionMichigan section

• 1,000 miles of 1,000 miles of shorelineshoreline

• 300+ access sites300+ access sites

• 30 campgrounds on 30 campgrounds on Lower Peninsula shoreLower Peninsula shore

• 20 campgrounds on 20 campgrounds on Upper Peninsula shoreUpper Peninsula shore

• Longest gap = 21 Longest gap = 21 milesmiles

What is a Heritage Water What is a Heritage Water Trail? Trail? ““Heritage water trails are routes on navigable waterways such Heritage water trails are routes on navigable waterways such

as rivers, lakes, and canals designed and implemented to as rivers, lakes, and canals designed and implemented to foster an interactive historical education experience.”foster an interactive historical education experience.”

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

MichiganMichigan

Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water TrailTip of The Thumb Heritage Water Traila functioning watertrail on Lake Hurona functioning watertrail on Lake Huron

The Lake MichiganThe Lake MichiganWater Trail AssociationWater Trail Association

The Lake MichiganThe Lake MichiganWater Trail AssociationWater Trail Association

Purpose –

The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association will work to create a continuouswater trail for non-motorized watercraft around Lake Michigan and obtainthe National Recreation Trail designation.

The Association will work to promote the development of paddler friendlyfacilities around the lake by bringing together stake holders from thefour 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 apremier paddling destination.

The Lake MichiganThe Lake MichiganWater Trail AssociationWater Trail Association

Target Membership…Target Membership…• PaddlersPaddlers• Paddling ClubsPaddling Clubs• Federal Agencies…NPS & USEPAFederal Agencies…NPS & USEPA• Planning AgenciesPlanning Agencies• Illinois, Indiana, Michigan & Wisconsin Illinois, Indiana, Michigan & Wisconsin

DNR’sDNR’s• Large Site OwnersLarge Site Owners…Nat’l Lakeshores, Chgo. Park Dist., etc…Nat’l Lakeshores, Chgo. Park Dist., etc..

• BusinessesBusinesses........marinas, restaurants, bed & breakfastsmarinas, restaurants, bed & breakfasts

The Lake MichiganThe Lake MichiganWater Trail AssociationWater Trail Association

ActivitiesActivities

• Promotion & DevelopmentPromotion & Development– Planning & coordinationPlanning & coordination– WebsiteWebsite– Maps & GuidesMaps & Guides

• Events –Events –– State Water Trail DaysState Water Trail Days– The Lake Michigan Water Trail ExpeditionThe Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition

• Stewardship – Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reachadopt a site, adopt a reach

What can you do?What can you do?

• Join the Lake Michigan Water Trail AssociationJoin the Lake Michigan Water Trail Association

• Participate in your state’s LMWT committeeParticipate in your state’s LMWT committee

• Promote LMWTA membership in your paddling clubPromote LMWTA membership in your paddling club

• Participate in Lake Michigan Water Trail eventsParticipate in Lake Michigan Water Trail events

• Attend the Lake Michigan Water Trail Planning Attend the Lake Michigan Water Trail Planning ConferenceConference

Lake Michigan National Water Lake Michigan National Water TrailTrail

Thank You

Lake Michigan Water Trail Association

www.lmwt.org