Partnership made possible by state funding Hauschild secured
(Grand Portage, MN) – A ground breaking collaboration was on dis play Wednesday, October 15, at a dedication ceremony for new rescue vessels operating through a new partnership between the Grand Portage Band, Cook and Lake County’s Sheriff’s offices. This new Tribal-led Coast Guard replaces the U.S. Coast Guard station in Grand Marais which ceased operations in 2022, and was made possible thanks to state funding se cured by Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown), who attended Wednesday’s ceremony.
“This effort represents the best of what northern Minnesota stands for. When we’re left behind, we don’t wait hopelessly. We come together. The Grand Portage Band, along with the Cook and Lake County Sheriff’s Offices, built the first partnership of its kind in the entire nation to make sure our waters and communities stay safe,” said Sen. Hauschild. “I couldn’t be prouder to have played a role in making this possible.”
When the Grand Marais station closure was announced in the fall of 2022, Hauschild called out the closure and later sent a letter to the U.S. Coast Guard asking for a re-examination of their decision to close the Grand Marais station in the summer of 2023. During these efforts lobbying federal partners, Sen. Hauschild worked with local and indigenous leaders to find a solution continuing emergency response efforts on Lake Superior. He secured $3 million in the 2023 Judiciary and Public Safety Omnibus Bill for the Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Grand Portage Band of Chippewa to purchase boats, emergency equipment, training, and personnel to respond to emergencies along the Northshore. Senator Hauschild also secured $240,000 to help Grand Portage hire an emergency response coordinator.
When fully operational, four boats will be available to respond to emergencies. Two of the boats will go to Grand Portage and two will go to Cook County with one being shared with Lake County to help secure an even larger part of the shore.
