Cravaack Testifies on Legislation to Permit Cook County Road Construction - Opening Remarks

U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack (MN-8) secured a congressional subcommittee hearing on legislation to permit road construction for Grand Marais. The Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands called a hearing to examine H.R. 2947, legislation that would allow Cook County to move forward with a project that has been in development for a decade while waiting for Congressional action to end the federal restrictions.

"In order for legislation to move forward in the Natural Resources Committee mark-up process, a subcommittee hearing is first required," said Rep. Cravaack. "The Cook County project should not have to face legal or administrative roadblocks. I look forward to discussing this matter with my colleagues as we continue to address Minnesota's existing infrastructure needs."

Introduced by Rep. Cravaack on September 15, 2011, H.R. 2947 would require the Secretary of Agriculture to release Minnesota from the conditions imposed on it relative to a parcel of land in Cook County intended to be used for the Grand Marais-Cook County Airport. The airport never used the land, but the federal restrictions on how the land could be developed remained. This prevented the land from being allocated for any other use.

"By passing H.R. 2947, Congress will enable the Cook County Highway Department to purchase the final piece of right-of-way, from the Cook County Airport, for the reconstruction of County Highway 8 (Devil Track Road)," said Cook County Highway Engineer David Betts. "This bill will benefit the residents and visitors of Cook County by allowing the Highway Department to improve the safety and ride quality of this heavily traveled roadway. Rep. Cravaack and his staff have been very helpful to Cook County while we try to resolve this unusual issue."

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