FOX 21 News

Sen. Al Franken toured the UMD Natural Resources Research Institute in Duluth on Thursday, getting a feel for the work done there.

With a budget of $13 million, the center depend on federal dollars. The federal government has allocated more than $400 million for Great Lakes restoration - and the NRRI stands to receive some of that money.

"So, there are $470 million available," Franken said. "It just depends on where it goes. So, I'll be weighing in on that."

Franken also met with UMD Chancellor Kathryn A. Martin on Thursday. He'll be heading to the Iron Range on Friday.