Sen. Franken's Measure to Execute Federal Agency Land Transfer Within Voyageurs National Park Approved by Key Senate Panel

Press Release

Senator Al Franken's measure to make management of certain parcels of land within Voyageurs National Park (VNP) more efficient and less costly was approved by a key Senate Committee today.

The bill, passed by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday, would formally transfer management of certain lands within the park from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to the National Park Service, which administers the other parts of the park. When VNP was established in 1975, the BLM maintained jurisdiction over some areas within the park, but Sen. Franken said the transfer will save agency time and taxpayer dollars by eliminating the need for duplicative land management.

"This legislation, which formally transfers parcels located within Voyageurs National Park to the National Park Service from the BLM, will not only eliminate duplicative management that happens when two separate federal agencies manage the same park, but it also will save taxpayers money," said Sen. Franken. "Everybody involved in this effort agrees that this change in management of those parcels will benefit Voyageurs National Park, both of the federal agencies involved, and the communities that surround it."

The bill, introduced along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), also allows the National Park Service to work with the State of Minnesota and nearby localities on further land exchanges that will enhance management of the park. Rep. Rick Nolan has introduced similar legislation in the House of Representatives.

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