Washington, D.C.– Today, U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack (MN-8) is pleased to report that last night the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved H.R. 2947, legislation which would allow Cook County to move forward with a road building project that has been in development for a decade while waiting for congressional action to end the federal restrictions.

 “Cook County has been urging Congress for years to address this matter.  My legislation will allow this long overdue infrastructure project to finally move forward.”

Specifically, the Cravaack bill 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.”

Previously, Rep. Cravaack testified on behalf of this important legislation in House subcommittee.

Rep. Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee – the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota. 

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