Funding Source Sought
General Obligation Bonds
Gitchi Gami: trail development into Lutsen
2018 Legislative Outcome
| Amount Requested | Amount Funded |
| $3.2 million | $0 |
Final Bill » Law
None
Proposed Project Overview
Build a 1.5 mile trail extension into Lutsen, plus planning and design costs for other segments.
Second project to build a 1.2-mile trail extension into Tofte was funded through ENRTF. see project
2018 Funding Needs
$3.2 million
Project Impact
When completed, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail will be an 89-mile non-motorized, paved recreational trail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, following Lake Superior’s beautiful and historic North Shore. Currently several miles, totally 29 miles, are complete. This project would fund continued development and design of the Gitchi Gami.
Project Support
Project 1 is grassroots initiative in partnership with Gitchi-Gami Trail Association
Bill Status: Project 1 Not Funded in 2018
- Bills (HF 2850 & SF 2718) drafted that appropriate $3 million for acquisition and development of the Gitchi Gami Trail, including engineering and design of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail priority segments: to Lutsen from Ski Hill Road, at Silver Creek, Silver Bay to Tettegouche State Park, and Cutface Creek Wayside to Cascade State Park.
- Bills referred to committees.
- Bills not included in final bonding bill.
Bill Status: Project 2 Funded in 2018
- Bonding Bill (HF 4425) introduced that includes an appropriation $2,500,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to expand high-priority recreational opportunities on Minnesota’s state trails by developing new trail segments and rehabilitating, improving, and enhancing existing state trails. High-priority trail segments to develop and enhance include but are not limited to the Gateway, Gitchi Gami, Paul Bunyan, and Heartland State Trails. A proposed list of trail projects on legislatively authorized state trails is required in the work plan. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2021, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
- Bill passed in Senate (vote: 113-17) and House (vote: 42-25)
- Signed by Gov. Dayton on May 30, 2018