1. Lake Superior Water Trail Angie Tornes Rivers and Trails National Park Service

2. Lake Superior Water Trail

5. History of L. Superior’s Water Trails  Native American Use  Fur Traders  Loggers  Commercial Fishing  Mail Routes  Recreation: kayaking and small craft  Inland Sea Society Proposal: 1991  Rivers & Trails workshop: 1992

6. Lake Superior Water Trail: MN

8. Minnesota: “North Shore”  Advocated initially by sea kayaking enthusiasts, environmentalists  Established by Minnesota Legislature in 1993; 20% of one MDNR’s staff time  cooperative effort of MDNR, outfitting stores, outfitters, kayakers, and NPS  pilot project of 20 mi. in 1994; expanded to 43 mi. in 1998; now extends from Duluth to Canadian Border: 150 mi

9. Lake Superior Water Trail of MN  Development and maintenance: joint effort between MDNR and L. Superior Water Trail Association of MN (LSWTA)  LSWTA had active membership, monthly meetings/clean-ups/outings; newsletter  links: possible combined planning and management with hiking & biking trails  focused on stewardship and safety

10. Lake Superior Water Trail

11. Lake Superior Water Trail: WI

12. Wisconsin: Bayfield Peninsula/ Apostle Islands Water Trail  Initial L. Superior water trail initiated by Inland Sea Society in 1991  NPS formed committee for Bayfield Peninsula/Apostle Islands project 1997: 90 miles, completed in 2000  partnership: NPS (2), WDNR, ISS, UW Extension, Sea Grant, Ashland College, Ojibway Tribe, realtor, WDNR  Funding: WI Coastal Mgm’t Prog., tourism

13. Entire WI Shoreline  Expansion Project: MN-MI, 163 mi.; includes Bayfield update  Focus on stewardship of shoreline  NPS formed committee in 2006, end ’09  Funding WI CMP, NPS CCS, ISS  Partnership: NPS (3), Reg. Plan Com., UW Sea Grant, Ojibway Tribe, WDNR, ISS Both projects’ sites mangaged by owner

14. Lake Superior Water Trail

15. Lake Superior Water Trail:MI

17. Michigan: Keweenaw Water Trail  NPS R&T formed and coordinated partnership and project development  partnership included outfitters, kayakers, local gov’ts, university, NPS, MDNR, tourism association, Scouts  demonstration project: 47 mi completed in 1996.; entire peninsula: 147 mi.; completed in 1999

18. Keweenaw Water Trail  Keweenaw Water Trail Association completed trail around peninsula; hosted kayak training and work parties  small “membership” base; newsletter; no expansion plans originally, but did  linkages: TNC; Keweenaw Nat’l Hist. Park  strong recreational + historical focus, particularly copper extraction  Sites managed individually by owner

19. Lake Superior Water Trail

20. Other + Future Lake Superior Water Trail Projects  Hiawatha WT – 120 mi along the UP, Big Bay to Grand Marias (central UP): done  To finish entire MI UP shoreline: half the shoreline distance in 3 segments  = Completion of the entire U.S. shoreline!

21. Lake Superior Water Trail

22. Successful Traits  ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT Strong partnership w/ roles & tasks defined Strong partnership w/ roles & tasks defined Paid staff (housed w/ NGO, agency, RPC) to coordinate planning, implementation, and trail management Paid staff (housed w/ NGO, agency, RPC) to coordinate planning, implementation, and trail management Map/brochure distribution + website support Map/brochure distribution + website support  PHYSICAL SUPPORT Safe and legal access, facilities, parking Safe and legal access, facilities, parking Places of interest to visit and explore Places of interest to visit and explore Places to rent boats and learn safety Places to rent boats and learn safety

23. Lake Superior Water Trail