Sheboygan, W I(WHBL) -There are currently fourteen sites designated as National Marine Sanctuaries throughout the United States. Only one of those sites listed in the National Registry is in the Great Lakes Region. That is Thunder Bay, which is located in Alpena, Michigan.
Sheboygan could change that geographical history with shipwreck sites in Lake Michigan that rival some of the current listings, while at the same time upstaging others.
During the Sheboygan common Council meeting held Tuesday night, September 8, 2015, Chad Pelishek, Sheboygan Director of Planning and Development said that The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has already cleared Sheboygan area sites of all but one of the hurdles needed to land final approval, and the President’s signature.
Pelishek says all that is left is for NOAA to decide whether to pursue Wisconsin or Maryland from its inventory list of possible sites. That decision he says could come later this fall.
If Wisconsin in chosen, NOAA would then move forward with an Environmental Impact study of the stretch of water and land to be included.
NOAA received more than 200 letters from supporters of the Sheboygan area sanctuary designation and Pelishek says right now it seems the odds are in the city’s favor, either way.
Pelishek says that already there are plans to promote the shipwreck sites through Marketing and tourism campaigns should Wisconsin lose out the bid for the new sanctuary designation. Although, clearly the city is hoping for the Marine Sanctuary designation.