Sheboygan County is home to a portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, a nearly 1,200 mile hiking route that traces the edge of the ice-age glacier that covered northern Wisconsin. It’s existed within the National Park Service since 1980, but has never had what’s called “Unit” status, which would improve management, establish administrative clarity and grant access to additional federal funding. That may change if legislation introduced by Senator Tammy Baldwin passes congress.
The “National Scenic Trails Parity Act” which also includes two other scenic trails, has gained co-sponsorship by, among others, Republican Senator Ron Johnson, who typically opposes Democrat Baldwin in most legislation. But the benefits of Unit status are something both agree upon. According to Baldwin, it would steer federal funding to manage the trails which drive economic growth through tourism and the use of local businesses in construction and maintenance activities. And even with the upgrade, no fee would be required access the Ice Age Trail.
Comments