Ground will be broken in 2007 for the new Utah Museum of Natural History building, museum director Sarah George says.

But she won't say just yet where much of the the needed money is coming from.

George briefed Deseret Morning News editors and reporters Monday about plans for the 169,000-square-foot facility, which is to be constructed on 17 acres adjacent to Red Butte Gardens.

The present building is on the University of Utah campus' Presidents Circle, at the top of 200 South. It is a 71-year-old structure that once served as the university library, and staff members agree it is badly undersize for its vast collections.

The new building is planned as a "state-of-the-art facility" better able to display items and serve visitors, says a draft environmental impact statement.

"We've raised about $30 million of the $65 million" required for the new facility, said George. "We're in year two of a five-year capital campaign."

Much of the funding already raised comes from federal and private grants or pledges.

In order to begin construction, the museum needs $50 million either pledged or appropriated. The director was confident planners will have that much in time for the museum to break ground next year.

Asked how she is sure the project will come up with another $20 million in a year, George declined to elaborate.

One idea to facilitate visitors seeing several attractions is a shuttle service connecting the new museum, Hogle Zoo, Red Butte and the This Is the Place Heritage Park. From there, George said, the shuttle could tie in to a TRAX line.

Museum officials are accepting comments on the draft EIS through Sept. 28.

According to the statement, prepared by Bear West Consulting Team, the preferred alternative is to allow the museum to share a pedestrian plaza and arrival/departure area with Red Butte Garden.

"The major impacts on vegetation result from the clearing of vegetation during construction and occupying of the site by buildings and parking facilities, regardless of the alternative chosen," the report says.

"Of particular concern in impacts on vegetation is the loss of tall Gambel oak (trees). With mitigation measures in alternatives, it is anticipated that those impacts can be partially reduced."

For a short time, users of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail will be impacted by museum construction. Routes will have to be moved, "though they will remain open, creating inconvenience and significant short-term changes in visitor experience," says the report.

The draft statement is posted at umnh.utah.edu/museum/AboutUMNH/newBuildingEIS.html.

A public meeting, at which written and spoken testimony will be taken, is scheduled to begin 7 p.m. on Sept. 5 in the Officer's Club building on the former Fort Douglas section of the university campus. For directions, call 587-1000.

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com