Rukavina challenges Lake Vermilion Park

This story was run 1/21/2010

Rep. Tom Rukavina this morning ripped a plan to establish Minnesota's largest state park along Lake Vermilion, calling it "fool's gold."

Soudan Underground Mine State Park already provides 15 miles of shore line along the lake, Rukavina said, and the state has done nothing to develop it for use.

"In these tough times when we are going to have to negotiate with the governor, why are we spending $20 million to add 5 more miles of shoreline next to the state park?" the Virginia Democrat asked. "This doesn't make sense."

Rukavina estimated that it would cost $50 million to provide basic infrastructure, including a road.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty last week announced that he wanted to spend more on buying 3,000 acres for the park than the Legislature authorized two years ago. Rukavina and others promise a fight.

Minnesota would pay landowner U.S. Steel $18 million to buy the land, which Pawlenty says is among the most beautiful of any state park.

"We look at this as a huge opportunity for the state," said Bob Meier of the Department of Natural Resources.

Rukavina disagreed: "That land is not worth that. That land cannot be developed. Basically, they snookered you."

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Please contact Rep. Tom Rukavina and tell him you support the new Lake Vermilion State Park.

Email rep.tom.rukavina@house.mn

477 State Office Building

100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Saint Paul, Minnesota 55155

651-296-0170 or 888-682-3205

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