Contact Congress about H.R. 5497: Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act

Apostle Islands would get a new name and status as a national park and preserve. Hunting and trapping would stop in the park area, except for protected tribal rights. Fishing and many current uses would stay the same.

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Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Act is a House bill in committee. The latest recorded action: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 17.

Latest action on H.R. 5497: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 17.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people who use Apostle Islands for hunting, trapping, fishing, tourism, and tribal treaty rights. Local residents, guides, visitors, tribes, private landowners, and National Park Service staff would see the clearest effects.

Why this matters: This bill matters because a national park name can change how people see and use the Apostle Islands. It could bring more visitors and more public interest. It also draws clearer lines between stricter park rules and preserve rules that keep more current uses. The bill also makes tribal rights clear and requires visitor centers to tell more of the area's history.

Key provisions in H.R. 5497

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore would get a new name: "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve." It would have two parts, a national park and a national preserve.
• The bill uses one official map to set the boundaries. The map is called "Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve Proposed Boundaries," numbered 633/193,514 and dated October 2024.
• The Secretary of the Interior would run the park and preserve together as one National Park System unit. The area would follow national park laws and the original lakeshore law, except where this bill says otherwise.
• People could not hunt or trap inside Apostle Islands National Park. The ban would not apply when a treaty, law, or executive order gives a Tribe that right.
• Hunting and trapping could continue in Apostle Islands National Preserve under the same rules as before. Those rules come from the original lakeshore law and other laws that apply.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 5497

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 5497

What is H.R. 5497?

Apostle Islands would get a new name and status as a national park and preserve. Hunting and trapping would stop in the park area, except for protected tribal rights. Fishing and many current uses would stay the same.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 5497?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 5497?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 5497 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.