Voyageurs National Park chronicles the complex legal and political campaign to found Minnesota's only national park. Witzig's thoroughly documented and referenced research allows him to offer a detailed view of the unanticipated disappointments and defining moments of achievement that accompanied this complicated legislative battle. Concentrating on the period from 1962 to 1975, Witzig identifies and explains the central issues surrounding the campaign including land acquisition policy, local concerns and opposition to the park, interagency conflict over inclusion of U.S. forest lands, antifederal attitudes in northeastern Minnesota, and the overstated case for the economic benefits a national park would bring. Witzig covers of the dispute over the inclusion of Crane Lake in the park and focuses on the many individuals and groups who were instrumental in the establishment of Voyageurs National Park, such as Governor Elmer L. Andersen, John A. Blatnik, Sigurd F. Olson, and Rita Shemesh.

Voyageurs National Park (VOYA) in northern Minnesota contains significant aquatic resources including 30 lakes and numerous wetlands. This synthesis contains an integrated account of what is known about the aquatic resources of VOYA; compares VOYA resources to those of other areas; and identifies opportunities and needs for future studies and surveys. Surveys and studies in VOYA have identified fifty-four fish species from 16 families 820 vascular plant species and 7 amphibian and 3 reptile species (higher numbers probably occur). Estimates of relative abundance for phyto- and zooplankton vary among VOYA lakes and depths surveyed. The VOYA fish populations and communities have been the most intensively studied. Twenty-eight percent of VOYA wetlands are the result of beaver activity. Mercury contamination and its food-chain bioaccumulation in VOYA are of particular concern. An integrated monitoring plan is needed in VOYA to provide continuous data and information on the complex physical chemical, and biological factors that influence aquatic systems. Resource managers in VOYA will use this information to understand and explain observed changes and to predict the potential for future changes.