Indiana Dunes National Park Effort Renewed
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMembers of Indiana’s congressional delegation are once again attempting to have Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore designated as a national park. If passed by Congress, the designation would create Indiana’s first national park.
An attempt for the designation failed last year after receiving opposition from National Park Service Deputy Director Dan Smith. Smith said the designation would be inconsistent with the NPS’ naming conventions for different types of park units.
The new legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Mike Braun (R-IN), and Congressman Pete Visclosky (D-01). If passed, the bill would rename the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to the Indiana Dunes National Park.
"I thank Senator Young and Senator Braun for supporting companion legislation in the U.S. Senate, and I also thank my Indiana House colleagues and all the Northwest Indiana community leaders and officials for their commitment to this initiative that will recognize the environmental wonder of our lakeshore and further grow our regional economy," Visclosky said in a news release.
Braun, who was elected to the Senate in November,called the Indiana Dunes a "state treasure that deserves the recognition of a national park."