1997 Minnesota Statutes

     97C.001 Experimental waters. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definition; designation.  (a) 
 Experimental waters are lakes and streams where special 
 regulations are used and evaluated to meet a specific fisheries 
 objective. 

    (b) The commissioner may designate any waters of the state 
 having free access to the public as experimental waters.  The 
 designated experimental waters may not exceed 100 lakes and 25 
 streams at one time.  For all experimental waters, the 
 commissioner shall develop an evaluation plan and specify a 
 termination date.  On the termination date, the commissioner 
 shall vacate or extend the experimental waters designation, or 
 designate the experimental waters as special management waters 
 under section 97C.005.  The commissioner shall by rule establish 
 methods and criteria for public initiation of experimental 
 waters designation and for public participation in the 
 evaluation of the waters designated. 

    (c) Designation of experimental waters under this section 
 is not subject to chapter 14. 

    Subd. 2.    Public notice and meeting.  (a) Before the 
 commissioner designates, or vacates or extends the designation 
 of, experimental waters, a public meeting must be held in the 
 county where the largest portion of the waters is located.  

    (b) At least 90 days before the public meeting and during 
 the open angling season for fish the taking of which is, or is 
 proposed to be, regulated under subdivision 3 on the waters 
 under consideration, notice of the proposed designation, 
 vacation, or extension must be posted at publicly maintained 
 access points on the water. 

    (c) Before the public meeting, notice of the meeting must 
 be published in a news release issued by the commissioner and in 
 a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the 
 proposed experimental waters are located.  The notice must be 
 published at least once between 30 and 60 days before the 
 meeting, and at least once between seven and 30 days before the 
 meeting. 

    (d) The notices required in this subdivision must summarize 
 the proposed action, invite public comment, and specify a 
 deadline for the receipt of public comments.  The commissioner 
 shall mail a copy of each required notice to persons who have 
 registered their names with the commissioner for this purpose.  
 The commissioner shall consider any public comments received in 
 making a final decision. 

    (e) If a water to be designated is a lake with a water area 
 of more than 1,500 acres, or is a stream or river with a reach 
 of more than six miles, a public meeting must also be held in 
 the seven-county metropolitan area. 

    Subd. 3.    Seasons, limits, and other requirements.  
 The commissioner may, in accordance with the procedures in 
 subdivision 2 or by rule under chapter 14, establish open 
 seasons, limits, methods, and other requirements for taking fish 
 on experimental waters. 

    HIST: 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 386 art 3 s 1; 1992 c 462 s 15