As the season turns and Lake Michigan reveals its waters once again, it still hides some secrets underneath.
"There's some diving opportunities and more historic things that are literally below the water," Green Bay Resident Rob Vesperman said.
From Two Rivers to Port Washington, dozens of shipwrecks sit off the western shores of Lake Michigan.
In 2014, the state officially nominated the area for status as a National Marine Sanctuary.
"We really feel that would have helped tell the wonderful story that we tell here in these lakeshore communities," Two Rivers city manager Greg Buckley said.
Local leaders say the sanctuary would bring added recognition and boost local tourism and economic development. They hoped for final designation later this year or early next.
"I would say the sanctuary process was about 90-percent of the way to the finish line," Buckley said.
But two weeks ago, Governor Scott Walker rescinded the nomination.
"The biggest surprise is that it wasn't a call for more dialogue or a request for additional consideration, let's see if we can reach a compromise on issues," Buckley said. "It was a termination of the process."
Walker wrote that the designation would create further unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. He said the shipwrecks are and will be protected.
"It's just very disapointing," Buckley said about the decision.
Local leaders expected the designation to go on. Now, they just hope to keep the conversation alive.
"There are still shipwrecks to be rediscovered and unearthed," Buckley said.
