On Monday, March 12, Senator Tom Bakk met with Cook County leaders in preparation for a Senate hearing on the SF1511, Lake Superior-Poplar River Water District and pipeline project. (L-R) Bob Fenwick, Superior National Golf Course manager; Sen. Tom Bakk; Sally Nankivell, executive director, Cook County Visitors Bureau and Charles Skinner, co-owner Lutsen Mountains.
Although it hasn’t been discussed at any public meetings in Cook County for a few months, that does not mean the plan to install a pipeline from Lake Superior to Lutsen Mountains has not been proceeding. In fact, according to Judith Erickson, government relations specialist for Lutsen Mountains, the effort to include the Lake Superior- Poplar River Water District and pipeline project in upcoming bonding bills is moving ahead as anticipated.
On Monday, March 12, Senator Tom Bakk met with Cook County leaders in preparation for a Senate hearing on the SF1511, Lake Superior- Poplar River Water District and pipeline project. Meeting with Bakk were Bob Fenwick, Superior National Golf Course Manager; Sally Nankivell, Executive Director, Cook County Visitors Bureau and Charles Skinner, Co-Owner of Lutsen Mountains Corporation (LMC).
The Senate hearing followed a House hearing on the project February 29. Erickson said it is now “a bit of a waiting game.” The $3.6 million project now moves to consideration for inclusion in the House and Senate bonding bills. “It’s our goal to be in those bills,” said Erickson.
A proposal for $3.6 million is already in the governor’s bonding bill. The money from bonding would be used to secure easements, and for engineering, design, permitting and construction of a pipeline to 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% local match is required for the project, which means $1.2 million in non-state funds must be found—the majority of which will come from Lutsen Mountains Ski Hill, according to LMC Co-Owner 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.
The need for the pipeline to Lake Superior was highlighted in November 2011, when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources granted LMC permission to continue drawing water from the 23-mile long Poplar River for snowmaking, despite very low water levels in the river. However, at that time, DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr stressed that the permit is a shortterm solution. The DNR said LMC must cease all pumping from the Poplar River by fall 2016.
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