HF 3261

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/17/2016 02:31pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; requiring hearing and local approval prior to
clear-cutting certain state land; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 89.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [89.305] PUBLIC NOTICE AND APPROVAL REQUIRED WHEN
CLEAR-CUTTING; PUBLIC HEARINGS.
new text end

new text begin (a) Prior to clear-cutting land administered by the commissioner located in the
seven-county metropolitan area or an adjacent county, the commissioner must:
new text end

new text begin (1) notify the local unit of government where the land lies and the adjacent
landowners. The notice must be made within five business days of the date the decision to
clear-cut was made and may be done by mail or electronically. The notice must include a
description of the area to be clear-cut and the location, time, and date of the first public
meeting required under paragraph (b);
new text end

new text begin (2) receive the approval of the local unit of government where the land lies; and
new text end

new text begin (3) conduct a health impact assessment of the proposed clear-cutting.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner must hold two public meetings prior to the land being
clear-cut. The first meeting must be held at least 30 days following the notice required
under paragraph (a), and the second meeting must be held at least 60 days after the first
meeting. A meeting held under this paragraph must begin at 7:00 p.m. or later, Monday
through Friday, or noon or later on Saturday.
new text end

new text begin (c) For the purposes of this section:
new text end

new text begin (1) "clear-cutting" means cutting, felling, or harvesting more than five percent of the
standing trees on a site greater than five acres within a two-year period; and
new text end

new text begin (2) "local unit of government" means the city or township or, when there is no city
or township or the site involves more than one local unit of government, the county or
counties.
new text end