OSHKOSH - Senator Ron Johnson made the following comments regarding today’s NOAA announcement of its intent to designate a new national heritage resource area off Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coastline, including an additional public input opportunity.

“Congratulations to the Wisconsin communities that sought this new National Marine Sanctuary off our Lake Michigan shoreline. I’m pleased to have been involved in the bipartisan, bicameral effort to endorse the approval of the original application submitted to NOAA.

“The establishment of a federally managed marine sanctuary accomplishes something we all can agree on: a collaborative, locally led, public-private effort to protect our environment. I welcome the additional public comment opportunities next month as well. Lake Michigan may soon be able to provide even more educational, economic development and tourism benefits to eastern Wisconsin communities for generations to come.”

###