The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore would be able to accept more donations of lands located outside the present park boundaries, under a bill authored by U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky that passed the U.S. House on Tuesday.

The Dorothy Buell Memorial Visitor Center Partnership Act would allow the National Lakeshore to accept land donations if the parcels are located outside the present boundaries but contiguous with the park or separated only by a right-of-way. Currently, the National Lakeshore cannot accept such land donations.

The bill would also allow the U.S. Secretary of the Interior the authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Porter County to improve services at the Visitor Center, which is operated jointly by the National Lakeshore and the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission.

The joint partnership would allow the two entities to develop a plan to improve the Visitor Center.

The bill would also authorize $1.5 million to develop exhibits for the center. In addition, the bill would transfer the authority to negotiate leases for the Visitor Center from the federal General Services Administration to the Department of the Interior, which would increase flexibility and cost savings, according to a Visclosky news release.

In his press release, Visclosky called the National Lakeshore the “most prized public land” in Northwest Indiana.

“From its hiking trails to its learning opportunities to its beautiful beaches, people of all ages and walks of life enjoy the dunes. This bill will help protect more of the unique dunes ecosystems so that local residents can continue to benefit from the park and enjoy a higher quality of life,” Visclosky said.

The bill, which cleared the House on a voice vote, now moves to the U.S. Senate.

Posted 9/9/2009