HF 498

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/14/2011 11:02am

A bill for an act
relating to state lands; requiring no net loss of state hunting lands; proposing
coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 97A.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [97A.132] NO NET LOSS OF HUNTING LANDS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Lands open for hunting. new text end

new text begin Lands administered by the commissioner
are open to access and use for hunting except as limited by the commissioner for
demonstrable reasons of public safety, fish or wildlife management, or as otherwise
limited by law.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Hunting land inventory. new text end

new text begin By October 1, 2011, the commissioner shall
inventory all lands administered by the commissioner and determine the number of acres
available for hunting opportunities as of July 1, 2011. Lands designated as units within a
state park shall not be considered hunting lands under this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin No net loss of hunting lands. new text end

new text begin (a) The land management decisions and
actions of the commissioner shall not result in a net loss of state land acreage that is
available for hunting opportunities as determined in subdivision 2. The commissioner shall
expeditiously find replacement acreage for hunting to compensate for sales or closures
of any existing hunting land. Replacement lands shall, to the greatest extent possible, be
located within the same Department of Natural Resources administrative region and shall
be consistent with the hunting opportunities allowed on the sold or closed land.
new text end

new text begin (b) A state agency that owns or manages lands shall assist, coordinate, and cooperate
with the commissioner to allow hunting on such lands if the lands are determined by the
commissioner to be suitable for hunting. To ensure no net loss of land acreage available
for hunting, state agencies shall cooperate with the commissioner to open new, additional
hunting lands to replace lost hunting acreage.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Reports. new text end

new text begin (a) Beginning October 1, 2012, the commissioner shall submit a
report, by October 1 each year, to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of
representatives and senate committees and divisions having jurisdiction over environment
and natural resources policy and finance describing:
new text end

new text begin (1) the acreage managed by the commissioner that was sold or closed to hunting
during the previous fiscal year and the reasons for the sales or closures; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the acreage managed by the commissioner that was opened to hunting to
compensate for sales and closures of existing land pursuant to subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin (b) Beginning October 1, 2012, any state agency that owns or manages lands that
are available for hunting opportunities shall submit a written report, by October 1 each
year, to the commissioner and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of
representatives and senate committees and divisions having jurisdiction over environment
and natural resources policy and finance that includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) a list of properties that were open for hunting during the previous fiscal year;
new text end

new text begin (2) a list of properties that were sold or closed to hunting during the previous fiscal
year and the reasons for the sales or closures; and
new text end

new text begin (3) the acreage for each property and the county where each property is located,
except for a right-of-way or a parcel under 50 acres.
new text end