Stauber Successfully Prevents National Park Service from Changing Frozen Lakes Use Plan to Restrict Access in Voyageurs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After months of hearing from constituents concerned with the National Park Service’s (NPS) proposed plans to change the Frozen Lakes Use Plan to restrict access in Voyageurs National Park, Congressman Stauber was successfully able to advocate against and effectively block these proposed changes from going into effect. 

Congressman Stauber made the following statement upon hearing the news: 

“From the beginning, I’ve been opposed to the proposed Frozen Lakes Use Plan in Voyageurs National Park as it would have prevented Minnesotans from accessing and enjoying thousands of acres of surface area on frozen lakes within the park boundaries in winter months. Such a move would have been devastating to resort owners, outfitters, guides, and so many who benefit from our local recreation economy during the winter months. We could not allow this to stand, which is why I am proud that my advocacy – and the advocacy of others – put an end to this misguided proposal. Simply put, the proposed Frozen Lakes Use Plan was an attack on our way of life in Northern Minnesota.”

As argued by Stauber, the proposed changes put forward by the NPS would not only have hindered use by residents and recreationists alike, but it would also have represented federal overreach because federal law clearly states that state authorities, not federal authorities, have jurisdiction to regulate waters within the state of Minnesota. 

Given the termination of these proposed changes, the park will continue the same management of these frozen lakes as they have done in the past.

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