National Loon Center

$4,000,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the National Loon Center Foundation, in partnership with a fiscal agent to be approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, to construct an approximately 15,000-square-foot National Loon Center in Cross Lake dedicated to loon survival, loon habitat protection and research, and recreation. Of this amount, up to $1,449,000 is for planning, design, and construction of approximately six outdoor demonstration learning kiosks, interpretive trails, boardwalks and boat docks, a fishing dock, and native landscaping along approximately 3,100 feet of shoreline. Any remaining funds are for planning, engineering, and constructing the building and indoor exhibits. A land lease commitment of at least 25 years and fiscal sponsorship must be secured before any trust fund money is spent. This project requires a match of at least $6,000,000. At least $2,000,000 of this match must come from nonstate sources. If naming rights will be conveyed, the National Loon Center Foundation must include a plan for this in the work plan. All matching funds must be legally committed before any trust fund money may be spent on planning activities for or construction of the building and indoor exhibits. Net income generated from admissions, naming rights, and memberships to the National Loon Center as a result of trust fund contributions may be reinvested in the center's long-term loon conservation efforts as described in the work plan approved by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources according to Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.10.