Sleeping Bears Dunes Legislation Welcomed After 12 Years of Advocating

A move years in the making: a bill to protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is headed to President Obama for a signature.

Lawmakers gave final approval to the plan in a unanimous vote Tuesday night.

It will designate about 32,500 acres as wilderness, therefore keeping the land in it's natural state.

Lakeshore access via county roads, hunting and fishing in designated areas, and historical structures will all be preserved and protected.

It's security local groups have been advocating for about 12 years.

One group who preserves historical sites says this legislation will only help their mission.

The main goal is to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as it looks today.

9&10's Marisa McKay and photojournalist Jeremy Erickson take you to one historical site that will benefit from the bill, plus hear from Congressman Dan Benishek from Michigan's First District about why this bill, and what it does, is so important.