Voyageurs National Park Frozen Lake Use Plan

Public Comment Period Open from May 28 through June 28, 2024 (30 Days)

The National Park Service (NPS) is starting a public scoping period for Voyageurs National Park’s Frozen Lake Use Plan. NPS requests your feedback on preliminary alternatives that will be further refined and analyzed in an Environmental Assessment (EA).

The NPS proposed Frozen Lake Surface Access and Use Plan will be one of the most substantive proposals for how Voyageurs National Park will be managed and used since the 2002 General Management Plan. The new plan should establish new guidelines for visitors recreating on Voyageurs’ frozen lakes; protect park resources and winter viewscapes; and help the park come into compliance with federal regulations and respond to changes in outdoor recreation trends with OHVs and ice fishing shelters. The changes will not impact snowmobiling in the park.

 
 

Virtual and In-person Public Meetings

The 30-day public scoping period for the Frozen Lake Use Plan starts May 28, 2024, and ends June 28, 2024. This 30-day public scoping period initiates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. All project related documents are available on the NPS’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) page.

The park will host one virtual public meeting and two in-person public workshops. All meetings will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Central Time. Park staff will give a brief presentation from 6:00 to 6:30 pm and will then be available to answer questions from the public via a workshop format until 8:00 pm.

  • Monday, June 10, 2024: Virtual Meeting. To attend use this link and join the meeting 5-10 minutes early to test your connection. Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85795779224

    Or Telephone: If you would like to call in on listen only mode and not view the presentation, please call US: +1 312 626 6799 Webinar ID: 857 9577 9224 (6:00 to 8:00 pm CT)

  • Wednesday, June 12, 2024: Rainy River Campus of the Minnesota North College, Commons Area 1501 Hwy 71 International Falls, MN 56649. (6:00 to 8:00 pm CT)

  • Thursday, June 13, 2024: Kabetogama Town Hall, 9707 Gamma Road, Kabetogama, MN 56669. (6:00 to 8:00 pm CT)

You can submit written comments electronically or via US Mail to Frozen Lake Surface Use Plan, Voyageurs National Park, 360 Hwy 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649.

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENTS

Comments must be received no later than June 28, 2024.


By far, Conservancy members and park users most value the “wild character” of the park (based on surveys and community listening sessions). Fishing in all seasons is an important way for visitors and park neighbors to use and enjoy the park. Common sense regulations and policies should help preserve these core experiences of Voyageurs. Voyageurs Conservancy supports the NPS’ need to come into compliance with federal regulations by establishing policies on this issue. The plan should establish enforceable restrictions while ensuring park visitors can continue to use and enjoy the park and park resources remain unimpaired. We look forward to continued dialogue and engagement on this topic with important stakeholders and NPS.