The effort to include the Lake Superior-Poplar River Water District and pipeline project in upcoming bonding bills continues to move forward. Judith Erickson, government relations specialist for Lutsen Mountains, said when the Minnesota Legislature returned from its 10-day Easter/Passover break one of the remaining pieces of legislation pending was the 2012 Capitol bonding bill which includes funding in some form for the pipeline project.
Governor Mark Dayton recommended $3.6 million for the Lake Superior-Poplar River Water District and pipeline project. The House and Senate have both included the project in their respective bills. Erickson said, “The challenge facing lawmakers is reconciling the differences between the three different recommendations.”
The money from bonding would be used to secure easements, for engineering, design, permitting and construction of an approximately two-mile 20-inch-diameter pipeline from Lake Superior to Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill for snowmaking.
Proponents of the pipeline to Lake Superior believe it would not just benefit the ski hill, but could also directly benefit the Cook County – Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA)-owned Superior National at Lutsen (SNL) golf course by providing a sustainable water source for irrigation, as well as drinking water for resorts on the ski hill and fire protection via hydrants along the pipeline.
The $3.6 million from bonding will cover only part of the estimated $4.8 million project. A 25 percent local match is required for the project, which means $1.2 million in nonstate funds must be found— the majority of which will come from Lutsen Mountains Corporation (LMC), according to LMC Co-Owner Charles Skinner. At a meeting with Lutsen Township in January 2012, Skinner provided a list of project partners who will also contribute in some way, including the Cook County- Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA), Superior National at Lutsen golf course, Caribou Highlands Lodge, Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior, Mountain Inn, Village at Lutsen Mountain Condominium Association, Eagle Ridge Resort, Papa Charlie’s Restaurant, and several other businesses who have yet to finalize their approval.
As legislators returned to work on the bonding bill, Charles Skinner said, “We are very thankful for the legislative support. We worked really hard to educate legislators on the value of this project to our tourism economy. One of the critical pieces has been the overwhelming community support provided here at home.”
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