Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§460x Establishment

Title 16 › Chapter 1— NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES › Subchapter LXXXII— SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE › § 460x

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to protect forests, beaches, dunes, and old glacial features along Lake Michigan’s shore and nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan. The Secretary of the Interior may set up and must run the park so the public can benefit, learn, and enjoy it while the natural environment gets maximum protection. Secretary of the Interior: the federal official who leads the Department of the Interior. Federal, state, and local governments must work together on land-use planning and zoning to keep development from harming the area. Private property must be respected and protected for its owners’ enjoyment.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §460x

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The Congress finds that certain outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena, exist along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on certain nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, and that such features ought to be preserved in their natural setting and protected from developments and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area. In order to accomplish this purpose for the benefit, inspiration, education, recreation, and enjoyment of the public, the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the “Secretary”) is authorized to take appropriate action, as herein provided, to establish in the State of Michigan the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, the Secretary shall administer and protect the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in a manner which provides for recreational opportunities consistent with the maximum protection of the natural environment within the area.

(b)In preserving the lakeshore and stabilizing its development, substantial reliance shall be placed on cooperation between Federal, State, and local governments to apply sound principles of land use planning and zoning. In developing the lakeshore, full recognition shall be given to protecting the private properties for the enjoyment of the owners.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 460x

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60