“The fact that we can say we have a National Park in our backyard is a true testament to the community for years to come,” says Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels as he reacts to the news this afternoon that’s been 12 years in the making that the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration NOAA officially announcing the designation of Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary and is listed in the Federal Registry as only one of two such entities in the world.
The 962 square-mile area of Lake Michigan ranges from Two Rivers to Port Washington and contains 36 historically significant shipwrecks.
“These shipwrecks tell stories about our communities and our state to be preserved forever. But The Great Lakes are also the biggest freshwater resource in the world. This designation also protects that.”
This sanctuary was nominated by then-Governor Walker in December of 2014 then shaped with significant public input as well as consultations with the state of Wisconsin and tribal nations. In October of 2015 NOAA announced its intent to designate the sanctuary.
“President Biden provided a little extra funding in his budget recommendation to NOAA to get this up and running with educational and recreational opportunities and of course to tap the huge tourism potential.”
Something Nickels feels Manitowoc may have a slight advantage over other cities in the sanctuary.
“We do have the Wisconsin Maritime Museum that has played an integral part in making today a reality so we can start doing all these things very soon. We are marketing this to the nation and the world. The next step is to discuss how to do exactly that as we move forward.”
The designation will officially take effect after a 45-day review of Congress and Governor Evers which Nickels calls a formality. He anticipates a huge celebration to take place sometime after Labor Day.
