1. The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association presents the Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail

2. The Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail Making the Lake accessible to human powered watercraft

3. What is a National Recreational Trail? The National Trail System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543) authorizedNational Trail System Act creation of a national trail system comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. The National Recreation Trails Program supports designated NRT's with an array of benefits, including promotion, technical assistance,benefits networking and access to funding. New designations of National Recreation Trails are announced each year, generally by the Secretary of Interior prior to National Trails Day in June.

4. What are the criteria for NRT designation? The trail must be open to public use and be designed, constructed, and maintained according to best management practices, in keeping with the use anticipated. Trails that demonstrate state-of-the-art design and management are especially encouraged to apply for NRT designation. The trail must be open to public use and be designed, constructed, and maintained according to best management practices, in keeping with the use anticipated. Trails that demonstrate state-of-the-art design and management are especially encouraged to apply for NRT designation. The trail is in compliance with applicable land use plans and environmental laws. The trail is in compliance with applicable land use plans and environmental laws. The trail will be open for public use for at least 10 consecutive years after designation. The trail will be open for public use for at least 10 consecutive years after designation. NRT designation must be supported by the landowner(s), public or private, whose property the trail crosses. NRT designation must be supported by the landowner(s), public or private, whose property the trail crosses.

5. In 2004 USEPA’s Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) proposed a Lake Michigan Water Trail… Proposed Lake Michigan Water Trail The creation of Great Lakes automobile and bike trails around Lake Michigan and the creation of several water trails around the lake has led to discussions of linking the emerging water trails into a larger system of water trails by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and LaMP committees. The Lake Michigan Water Trail program would encourage coordination among lakefront communities to… – –develop a water trail segment that links their communities and – –provide a safe, educational, and legal access experience to Lake Michigan. – –Water trail creation brings together a broad coalition of interested groups including public land managing entities, self-powered boating interests, environmental and historical groups, private property owners, tourism offices, and physical activity advocates. – –The Rivers and Trails Program of the NPS will provide technical assistance to communities who wish to participate in water trail development.

6. Why create a Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail? Enhanced Quality of Life – solitude, open space, increased property values Enhanced Quality of Life – solitude, open space, increased property values Recreation – low cost, environmentally friendly Recreation – low cost, environmentally friendly Eco-Tourism Eco-Tourism Economic Benefits – food, lodging, new businesses Economic Benefits – food, lodging, new businesses Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reach Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reach Environmental Education Environmental Education

7. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Existing Assets Only Great Lake entirely within the U.S. Only Great Lake entirely within the U.S. Existing watertrails in all four states Existing watertrails in all four states Existing access sites in all four states Existing access sites in all four states Sea kayaking clubs in all four states Sea kayaking clubs in all four states Existing lakeside tourism infrastructure – Existing lakeside tourism infrastructure – –Great Circle Tour –Chicago, Milwaukee –National Lakeshores –Door County

8. The Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail Current Conditions Chicago & Indiana watertrails are complete Chicago & Indiana watertrails are complete Portions of watertrails in Wisconsin & Michigan Portions of watertrails in Wisconsin & Michigan Lake Michigan Water Trail Association established Lake Michigan Water Trail Association established Campaign now for membership and NRT designation Campaign now for membership and NRT designation

9. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Challenges Major gaps in 3 states Major gaps in 3 states Limited funding for new access Limited funding for new access Limited or no lodging and/or camping for long stretches Limited or no lodging and/or camping for long stretches

10. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Recent & Upcoming Events April 2010 Indiana paddlers visit Washington D.C. and meet with congressional members who express support for a Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail April 2010 Indiana paddlers visit Washington D.C. and meet with congressional members who express support for a Lake Michigan National Recreational Water Trail June 5, 2010 – Tour of the Indiana Dunes – National Trails Day event June 5, 2010 – Tour of the Indiana Dunes – National Trails Day event Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition - Aug 21 – 22, 2010 Michigan City, IN. to St. Joseph Michigan Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition - Aug 21 – 22, 2010 Michigan City, IN. to St. Joseph Michigan

11. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Survey of Access in each State

12. At most sites it doesn’t take much to create access

14. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Indiana

15. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Illinois

16. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Southern Wisconsin section Approximately 350 miles of shoreline trail Approximately 120 access sites Largest gap = 17 miles 1 st water trail access only campsite created in 2009

17. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Northern Wisconsin section

18. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Michigan section 1,000 miles of shoreline 1,000 miles of shoreline 300+ access sites 300+ access sites 30 campgrounds on Lower Peninsula shore 30 campgrounds on Lower Peninsula shore 20 campgrounds on Upper Peninsula shore 20 campgrounds on Upper Peninsula shore Longest gap = 21 miles Longest gap = 21 miles

19. What is a Heritage Water Trail? “Heritage water trails are routes on navigable waterways such as rivers, lakes, and canals designed and implemented to foster an interactive historical education experience.”

20. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Michigan

21. Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail a functioning watertrail on Lake Huron Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail

22. The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association

23. Purpose – The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association will work to create a continuous water trail for non-motorized watercraft around Lake Michigan and obtain the National Recreation Trail designation. The Association will work to promote the development of paddler friendly facilities around the lake by bringing together stake holders from the four states bordering the lake, including site owners, paddling clubs, state and city governments, federal agencies, local businesses, and private land holders. Launch sites, services, and businesses that actively support paddlers on Lake Michigan will be promoted to make Lake Michigan a premier paddling destination.

24. The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association Target Membership… Paddlers Paddlers Paddling Clubs Paddling Clubs Federal Agencies…NPS & USEPA Federal Agencies…NPS & USEPA Planning Agencies Planning Agencies Illinois, Indiana, Michigan & Wisconsin DNR’s Illinois, Indiana, Michigan & Wisconsin DNR’s Large Site Owners …Nat’l Lakeshores, Chgo. Park Dist., etc. Large Site Owners …Nat’l Lakeshores, Chgo. Park Dist., etc. Businesses.... marinas, restaurants, bed & breakfasts Businesses.... marinas, restaurants, bed & breakfasts

25. The Lake Michigan Water Trail Association Activities Promotion & Development Promotion & Development –Planning & coordination –Website –Maps & Guides Events – Events – –State Water Trail Days –The Lake Michigan Water Trail Expedition Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reach Stewardship – adopt a site, adopt a reach

26. What can you do? Join the Lake Michigan Water Trail Association Join the Lake Michigan Water Trail Association Participate in your state’s LMWT committee Participate in your state’s LMWT committee Promote LMWTA membership in your paddling club Promote LMWTA membership in your paddling club Participate in Lake Michigan Water Trail events Participate in Lake Michigan Water Trail events Attend the Lake Michigan Water Trail Planning Conference Attend the Lake Michigan Water Trail Planning Conference

27. Lake Michigan National Water Trail Thank You Lake Michigan Water Trail Association www.lmwt.org