|
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Pete Visclosky’s Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Partnership Act, a bill to enhance the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and raise the quality of life in Northwest Indiana, today passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote.
“The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is Northwest Indiana’s most prized public land,” said Visclosky. “From its hiking trails to its learning opportunities to its beautiful beaches, people of all ages and walks of life enjoy the dunes. This bill will help protect more of the unique dunes ecosystems so that local residents can continue to benefit from the park and enjoy a higher quality of life.”
The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Partnership Act is designed to help preserve, protect, and restore the Lakeshore for everybody’s benefit. Specifically, Visclosky’s bill permits, but does not require, the Secretary of the Interior to accept donations of lands located outside the present boundaries of the Lakeshore if they are contiguous with the park or separated by only a right-of-way. At present, the Secretary of the Interior cannot accept such donations and Visclosky’s bill makes a minor technical correction to allow at-will donations. The change has no fiscal impact and will allow the Lakeshore to expand by the generosity of those wishing to enhance it.
Additionally, Visclosky’s bill grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint partnership with Porter County to improve services at the Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center. The partnership will allow the National Park Service and the Porter County Convention, Recreation, and Visitor Commission to develop a plan to maximize the efficiency of the Visitor Center and enhance the visitor experience. The bill also authorizes $1.5 million to develop exhibits for the Visitor Center. Presently, the General Services Administration negotiates the lease and transferring that power to the Department of the Interior will provide increased flexibility and projected cost savings.
“More than 2 million people visit Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore each year, most of them from outside Northwest Indiana,” said Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Costa Dillon. “The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center offers these visitors a one-stop opportunity to plan their visit to the national and state parks and to learn more about opportunities offered by the surrounding communities. We are pleased to be a part of this partnership.”
“Save the Dunes thanks Pete Visclosky for his hard work to recognize Dorothy Buell, first president of Save the Dunes Council by the passage of H.R. 1287,” said Tom Anderson, executive director of Save the Dunes Council. “We are lucky to have people like Pete Visclosky, the late Dorothy Buell and other great supporters, working hard to make Northwest Indiana a better place for our children and grandchildren.”
“I am grateful to those in Northwest Indiana and in Congress who worked with me to pass this important legislation,” said Visclosky. “I hope the Senate acts quickly to send this bill to the President’s desk so that the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore can continue to mature as a park and resource for the people of Northwest Indiana.” |
|
|
