WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) and Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) today introduced the Lester Nichols Presque Isle Light Station Act which would require the U.S. Coast Guard to return the historic 3rd Order Fresnel lens to the Presque Isle Lighthouse. Stabenow and Levin introduced the bill in the Senate and Stupak introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Fresnel lens was removed from the lighthouse for restoration four years ago, and must be returned to preserve the integrity of the lighthouse.

“Michigan’s lighthouses are not only a reminder of the history and identity of our state, but they also fuel the economy of Michigan’s coastal towns,” said Stabenow. “Returning the Fresnel lens to its original home in the Presque Isle Lighthouse is important to preserve the past and enhance the future of the Presque Isle community.”

“Michigan's lighthouses are an integral part of their communities, remaining as safe beacons to mariners in inclement weather and preserving our maritime history,” said Levin. “By returning the Fresnel lens to the tower at the Presque Isle Lighthouse, we can help to keep the history of the structure alive, enabling visitors to enjoy seeing this beautiful lighthouse as it was meant to be.”

“The Presque Isle lighthouse is an important historical landmark for northern Michigan,” said Stupak. “I am proud to join with Senators Levin and Stabenow to work towards restoring the lighthouse to its full, original splendor by returning the Fresnel lens.”

A Fresnel lens is made of a series of heavy glass lenses with grooved edges, used in lighthouses before the creation of the modern plastic lens. The 3rd Order Fresnel lens in the Presque Isle Lighthouse was first lit at the start of the 1871 navigation season.

In 2002, the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Historic Preservation Officer, and Presque Isle Township signed a Memorandum of Agreement to remove the Fresnel lens from the Presque Isle Lighthouse tower for restoration, a process that was completed last year. However, the community was unaware at the time of a Coast Guard policy that prevents the Fresnel lens from being replaced once it was removed from the tower.

Stabenow, Levin, and Stupak have been working with the Presque Isle community since 2004, fighting for the lens’ return to the tower. Restoring the Fresnel lens will not only preserve the lighthouse’s history and attract visitors, it will also enhance the lighthouse’s primary function as a navigational aid. In 2005, the three Members of Congress sent a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard urging the replacement of the lens, a request that was denied.

The bill is named after Les Nichols, a Presque Isle resident, who through years of hard work and perseverance has led the effort to restore the Presque Isle Lighthouse’s Fresnel lens. His determination to restore this historic artifact will now allow the beauty of the Fresnel lens to be enjoyed by future generations.