Gov. Mark Dayton has signed into law bonding bills that provide financing for two Cook County projects, according to Judy Erickson of Conservation Strategies Inc., the Cook County Chamber of Commerce representative in St. Paul. “This is good news for Cook County,” Erickson said. “It was the final step in the legislative process put into play by the chamber last winter when they determined their 2014 bonding priorities.”
The bills Dayton signed include nearly $1.5 million for the Gitchi Gami Trail, Grand Marais to Cutface Wayside, and $1.11 million to complete the Lake Superior-Poplar River pipeline. The trail funding is a little less than was requested as the Legislature funded $20 million worth of trail projects with only $17.6 million in actual funds. There is flexibility within the bill, so this amount should not be a barrier to moving forward with the project.
The $1.11 million for the Lake Superior-Poplar River pipeline will complement the $3.6 million appropriated by the 2012 Legislature and should provide for the timely completion of the pipeline project, including the drinking water portion.
Jim Boyd, chamber executive director, said, “Completing the pipeline is an imperative for Cook County. It will irrigate Superior National, provide snowmaking water for Lutsen Mountains, ensure drinking water for residents and businesses, make available an efficient source of water for fighting fire and help ensure a bright future for the Poplar River trout fishery. What’s not to like about those outcomes?”
“And building another segment of the Gitchi Gami trail should help strengthen support for the eventual completion of this ambitious North Shore trail project,” he added. “Plus, it will give county bicyclists a cool new ride from Grand Marais to the beautiful wayside at Cutface Creek.”
“The legislative process always has its moments of tension, stress and worry, and in that regard the 2014 session did not let us down. But with the hard work of the Chamber and community, plus consistent support from Rep. David Dill and Sen. Tom Bakk, we were able to prevail and finish strong,” Erickson said.
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