[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 126 (Friday, September 13, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S10551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK

  Mr. GRAMS. Madam President, I rise today to discuss an issue of great 
importance to the people of northern Minnesota and others who care 
about Voyageurs National Park.
  In 1971, Voyageurs National Park was created in northern Minnesota 
after years of contentious debate in my home State and within the halls 
of the Federal Government. While there were some who were opposed to 
the park's creation, many others supported it under the promise that it 
would not only protect the area for future generations but would also 
be an economic benefit for northern Minnesota as well.
  Federal officials estimated the park would attract 1.3 million 
visitors annually, yet 25 years later the National Park Service 
estimates that the actual number of visitors is 200,000 per year. That 
is less than one-sixth of its initial projection. Why is the visitor 
rate so low in Voyageurs? Ask the National Park Service. Ask them about 
the countless numbers of regulations that they have imposed that would 
limit the ability of recreationists to enjoy the park such as the 
restriction under the Endangered Species Act recently repealed by a 
district court judge and a de facto wilderness designation never 
approved by Congress.
  Perhaps the most significant example of how the Federal Government 
has failed in its mission to promote visitor use is the Park Service's 
continued reluctance to conduct a visitor use and facilities study 
mandated by Congress 13 years ago.
  This study, supported by the Park Service back in 1983, was to be a 
tool that would help the Park Service determine why its visitor-rate 
projection had not been met. Yet, to date, this study has still not 
been completed--at the expense of the people of northern Minnesota and 
those who seek reasonable access to their public lands.
  Now, I am not suggesting that economic interests should be the 
determining factor in the management of this national treasure, but 
there is no question that the economic survival and security of the 
men, women, and children who live in the communities surrounding the 
park must be taken into consideration. More importantly, when the 
Federal Government gives its word to the people, it must live up to it.
  For this reason, I intend to offer an amendment to Interior 
appropriations which will help restore one of the unfulfilled promises 
made to the people of northern Minnesota. My amendment, which I will 
not offer today, would require the Park Service to begin its 
comprehensive visitor-use and facilities study in consultation with 
appropriate private and public entities. It does not set a rigorous 
timetable on when the study must be completed and in no way 
micromanages the Park Service's activities; it simply requires the Park 
Service to work with the State of Minnesota, the park's surrounding 
counties, and individuals to develop a framework under which the study 
will be completed.
  Madam President, the groundwork is set for a team effort to develop 
this study. I have spoken with county commissioners in northern 
Minnesota who have expressed strong support for this study and stand 
ready to help the Park Service develop it. The study was discussed 
during five hearings before the 104th Congress--both in Minnesota and 
Washington--and the strong, majority opinion during those hearings, 
including that of the Park Service, was in favor of the study. It is 
also my understanding that the Voyageurs Park Superintendent has 
mentioned that some funding may be available in the coming months to 
begin the study--for which I commend her. All of these developments 
make me optimistic that this study can be done. Again, after 13 years 
that it was directed to do so, the study finally may be done. The time 
has come for this study to be done.
  My amendment will create the framework to accomplish this task and to 
begin restoring the commitments made long ago to the people of northern 
Minnesota. I certainly hope that my colleagues in the Senate--including 
my fellow Senator from Minnesota--will lend their support to this 
amendment and for doing what is right for the Voyageurs National Park 
and those who love it.
  I yield the floor.

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