Senator Paul §. Douglas
United States Senate
Washington, D. Ce

Dear Senator:

You recently wath Mre John Cadmus of Chicago regarding efforts
to preserve a 1,000 acre wilderness known &s ane Mere, at the
north end of the Michigen-indiana Dunes.

A bill has been introduced in the Michigan legislature to acquire
the area as a state park (He B. #3938). Our local efforts to
acquire the land as a county park, under the Land and Water
Conservation Fund, came to no avail when $1,000,000 was established
as the appraisal valuation. |

You can help, if you will, in this respect: The bill in the Michiran
legislature is based on obtaining matching funds from the Federal —
Land and Water Conservation Fund. Such matching funds are over and
above the %2.7 million allocated to Michiran this year.

I understand that there are some portions of available matching
funds which have not been distributed. You could be of great help
in expeciting the availability of these matching funds. Their
definite availability would stimulate action on the bill in the
Michigan derislature. 3

Senator Hart's help in the matter will dso be sought.
Your past effort on hehalf of the Indiana Dunes area is very much
appreciated by those of us who know and enjoy the beauty of this

dunes area,

Sincerely,

Frank F. Lahr
PFL/e