Hearing of the House Public Land and Environmental Regulation Subcommittee - Ashland Breakwater Light Transfer Act

Hearing

Good morning. Thank you Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva for holding this hearing today.
I appreciate the opportunity to testify on behalf of H.R. 4049, the Ashland Breakwater Light Transfer Act,
which will facilitate the transfer of a lighthouse in Ashland, Wisconsin from the Coast Guard to the
National Park Service.

Next year will mark the 100th Anniversary of the Ashland Breakwater Light, a lighthouse that has stood
strong on Lake Superior's shores, guiding ships through dark nights and storms and welcoming travelers
back home. I was blessed to be able to raise my family, with my beautiful wife Rachel, in Ashland. Having
spent years in the community, I know the importance of this light not only as a symbol of Ashland but as
a major part of the local economy. The Ashland Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
since 2007 and is an important part of Ashland area tourism, recreation, and education.

This historic site faces an uncertain future, however, with the Coast Guard looking to give up
management. The Coast Guard announced its intent to give up ownership of the Ashland Light in May of
2012. No public or private entity aside from the National Park Service's Apostle Islands National
Lakeshore has expressed credible interest in obtaining and maintaining the Ashland Light. In the absence
of legislation, however, there is no guarantee it would be maintained as a historic property or that it
would be available for public education or access.

H.R. 4049, the Ashland Breakwater Light Transfer Act, will allow the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
to maintain this lighthouse -- alongside the other eight lights it already manages. It does this by simply
adjusting the boundary of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore (APIS) to include the Ashland Light
itself.

All of the other light stations within the boundaries of the Apostle Islands were transferred to the
National Park Service from the Coast Guard in 1986. The Ashland Light was not included in the 1986
transfer, however, because it was not inside the park boundary, the USCG was actively maintaining it,
and its future was not at issue at the time.

I have worked closely with National Park Service staff, as well as the local recreational community, to
strike a balance that allows for the transfer of the lighthouse itself while preventing additional federal
rules and regulations from affecting any recreation on the waters surrounding the Ashland Light.
Additionally, the Coast Guard will maintain access to the Ashland Light to maintain it as an aid to
navigation and the Army Corps of Engineers will still maintain the breakwater on which the light stands.
We know all too well that disagreements between agencies can often get in the way of the best interest
of the community. For this reason, I specifically included language to ensure all the agencies involved --Rep. Sean the Park Service, the Coast Guard, and the Army Corps -- cooperate in their operations to ensure that all
of their needs surrounding the lighthouse are met.

This legislation is the result of close collaboration with the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore --
particularly Superintendent Bob Krumenaker, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the
Wisconsin Historical Society, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development groups,
the City and County of Ashland, and the local outdoor recreational community. And this legislation has
received near unanimous, bipartisan support from the Wisconsin House delegation and Senator Baldwin
and Senator Johnson have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Additionally, I want to pay special recognition to a group of students who are in Washington, D.C. today
-- all the way from Ashland Middle School on a school field trip. I'm really glad that the timing of their
visit coincided with this hearing, and I'm glad they will be seeing the democratic process first-hand this
week, especially on an issue that is important to them in their hometown.

Finally, I have several letters of support for H.R. 4049 that I would like to submit for the record.
I look forward to advancing Ashland Breakwater Light Transfer Act and helping to preserve this piece of
history for generations to come. I urge the Committee to pass this legislation quickly and appreciate
your support today.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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