Many local, state, and even federal leaders will be in Manitowoc tomorrow as the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary officially becomes a reality.
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels told Seehafer News that the event will be private inside the Wisconsin Maritime Museum from noon until 1:30 PM, “with dignitaries from the State of Wisconsin and NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with local officials from the Cities of Two Rivers, Port Washington, Sheboygan, and Manitowoc.”
One of the federal leaders that will be on hand is Senator Tammy Baldwin, who played a role in making this designation come to fruition.
“A group of leaders who had the vision to seek this designation…asked me to be an advocate at the federal level with NOAA, which is a part of the Department of Commerce,” Baldwin explained. “I also sit on the Senate Commerce Committee, so it gave me numerous opportunities to interact with NOAA leaders and the Secretary of Commerce to press for this designation.”
Baldwin explained that the sanctuary that runs from Two Rivers to Port Washington is only the second one in the Great Lakes, making it very special.
“The designation will put a spotlight on the 36 National significant shipwrecks that have been identified along this stretch of Lake Michigan’s Coast,” Baldwin explained.
Mayor Nickels also voiced his excitement, saying “The sanctuary will provide a national stage for promoting heritage tourism, and recreation…On Saturday, we can officially declare that we have a National Park in our backyard.”