The Legislative Path Forward

While a National Park requires federal designation and management, this process can be aided and spearheaded by the state government of Minnesota. The state would be the prime beneficiary of a Driftless National Park, with local areas seeing a massive increase in tourism dollars that would quickly cover the cost of the creation and management of the park (this is discussed later in the economic impact analysis section of this report). 

Blueprint For Legislation
At the state level, legislation can be passed to fund the initial creation of a Driftless National Park and Preserve before being handed over to the federal government. To mitigate risk, it is imperative that this legislation works like a zip-tie - unlocking increasing funds towards the creation of the park as different benchmarks are met. 
These benchmarks, alongside the proposed (but flexible) appropriated state funds, are as follows:

• Driftless National Park (State) Bill passed by Minnesota legislature; $150 Million

• Reconnaissance survey completed by Department of the Interior with stated positive results; $100 Million

• Special resource study completed by Department of the Interior with stated positive results; $100 Million

• Designation of Driftless National Monument under the Antiquities Act; $150 Million

• Driftless National Park and Preserve Bill passed by Congress; $200 Million

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A detailed list of the extra clauses and rules of how this would work are found on pages 62-64 of the proposal.