Amends the Act establishing the Indiana Dunes National lakeshore to dedicate such lakeshore to the memory of Paul H. Douglas. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate the west unit as the "Paul H. Douglas Ecological and Recreational Unit." Authorizes the design and construction of a structure, or the designation of an existing structure, to be known as the "Paul H. Douglas Center for Environmental Education."
Directs the Secretary, in order to inform the public of the contributions of Paul E. Douglas to the creation of the lakeshore, to provide such signs, markers, maps, interpretive materials, literature, and programs as the Secretary deems appropriate.
Changes the boundaries of such lakeshore.
Authorizes the Secretary to acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, or exchange lands or interests therein which are owned for school or educational purposes by a State or a political subdivision thereof.
Amends the provisions of such Act dealing with the qualifying dates for the retention of rights of occupancy for improved properties.
Removes the maximum 20 year right of retained occupancy of improved residential property within the lakeshore, and permits an owner, at his or her option, to select either a lifetime retained occupancy or a fixed term of occupancy, not to extend beyond a specified date.
Authorizes the Secretary to extend the term of currently existing reservations of use and occupancy of 20 years or less.
Extends the life of the Indian Dunes National lakeshore Advisory Commission.
Increases the membership of the Indian Dunes National lakeshore Advisory Commission.
Increases the amount of the existing development ceiling for the lakeshore. Limits the amount to be appropriated from such funds for the development of the Paul H. Douglas Environmental Education Center.
Increases the authorization of appropriations for land acquisition for the lakeshore.
Directs the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to conduct a study of a various modes of public access into and within such lakeshore which are consistent with the preservation of the lakeshore and conservation of energy by encouraging the use of transportation modes other than personal motor vehicles.
Requires that such study shall: (1) address the adequacy of access facilities for members of the public who desire to visit and enjoy the lakeshore; (2) include proposals deemed necessary to assure equitable visitor access and public enjoyment by all segments of the population; (3) provide for retention of natural, scenic, and historic values; (4) propose plans and alternatives for the protection and maintenance of such values as they relate to transportation improvements; (5) examine proposals for the renovation and preservation of a portion of the existing South Shore Railroad passenger car fleet; and (6) present alternative plans to improve, construct, and extend access roads, public transportation, and bicycle and pedestrian trails.
Directs that such study shall be completed and presented to Congress within two complete fiscal years from the effective date of this Act.
Authorizes appropriations for such study.
Directs the Secretary, in exercising the authority to acquire property under this Act, to give prompt and careful consideration to any offer made by an individual owning property within the lakeshore to sell such property, if such individual notifies the Secretary in writing that the continued ownership of such property is causing, or would result in, undue hardship.
Permits the Secretary to acquire only such interest in a specified portion of area as the Secretary determines is necessary to assure public access.