Lake Superior – Lutsen Mountains pipeline progresses

Plans for a new pipeline to supply Lutsen Mountains with water from Lake Superior are moving ahead, according to an update released Wednesday.

According to the Duluth News-Tribune, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has determined that an environmental impact study will not be required for the project. Tom Rider, a co-owner of Lutsen, said the finding should make it possible for permitting to proceed, with construction likely to begin in the spring.

When completed, the pipeline will allow Lutsen to stop drawing water from the Poplar River, a designated trout stream.

The project received a $3.6 million grant from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The money will be partially matched with another $1.2 million in local funding.