Wisconsin National Marine Sanctuary |

Wisconsin National Marine Sanctuary

A presentation by Jim Zeiler, President of the Hudson, Wis.-based sanctuary opposition group Citizens for Responsible Zoning and Landowner Rights, about a proposed Wisconsin National Marine Sanctuary resulted in a heated discussion about the issue from both supporters and opponents.

Zeiler told listeners that the U.S. government has little interest in shipwrecks and suggested bureaucrats are instead eyeing the designation to gain a federal foothold in the Great Lakes. He said the sanctuary would border the lakeshore’s high-water mark, possibly impacting shoreline owners’ property rights.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year halting efforts to name new marine sanctuaries, which has appeared to stall the Lake Michigan proposal.