1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; establishing a native 
  1.3             plant program for highway rest areas; appropriating 
  1.4             money; amending Minnesota Statutes 1994, sections 
  1.5             17.86, subdivision 4; and 86A.05, subdivision 12; 
  1.6             proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 
  1.7             chapter 86A. 
  1.8   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.9      Section 1.  [86A.055] [REST AREA NATIVE PLANT PROGRAM.] 
  1.10     Subdivision 1.  [DEFINITION.] "Native plants" mean those 
  1.11  that occur naturally within the state in a particular region, 
  1.12  ecosystem, or habitat without direct or indirect human action. 
  1.13     Subd. 2.  [ESTABLISHMENT.] The commissioner of 
  1.14  transportation must provide a suitable site at each state 
  1.15  primary rest area for a native plant demonstration or 
  1.16  interpretive garden.  The commissioner of natural resources and 
  1.17  the Minnesota native plant society must specify which types of 
  1.18  native plants are appropriate for each ecological region where 
  1.19  rest areas are located.  The commissioner of transportation must 
  1.20  attempt to purchase native plant seedlings from within the 
  1.21  ecological region where the rest area is located. 
  1.22     Subd. 3.  [ADOPT A REST AREA GARDEN.] A volunteer group may 
  1.23  apply at a rest area to adopt a rest area native plant 
  1.24  demonstration or interpretive garden.  When authorized, the 
  1.25  volunteer group shall plant the appropriate native plants and 
  1.26  maintain and promote the garden.  The commissioners of 
  2.1   transportation and natural resources jointly shall publicize the 
  2.2   adopt a rest area garden concept. 
  2.3      Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 17.86, 
  2.4   subdivision 4, is amended to read: 
  2.5      Subd. 4.  [TRANSPORTATION PLANTINGS.] The commissioner of 
  2.6   transportation shall utilize information on varieties and 
  2.7   placement of native trees to provide maximum forestation in rest 
  2.8   areas and other areas controlled by the department in forested 
  2.9   regions of the state.  The commissioner of transportation should 
  2.10  consider the use of native trees in conjunction with solid noise 
  2.11  walls along urban freeways to the maximum extent practical. 
  2.12     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1994, section 86A.05, 
  2.13  subdivision 12, is amended to read: 
  2.14     Subd. 12.  [STATE REST AREA; PURPOSE; RESOURCE AND SITE 
  2.15  QUALIFICATIONS; ADMINISTRATION.] (a) A state rest area shall be 
  2.16  established to promote a safe, pleasurable, and informative 
  2.17  travel experience along Minnesota highways by providing areas 
  2.18  and facilities at reasonable intervals for information, 
  2.19  emergencies, or the rest and comfort of travelers. 
  2.20     (b) No unit shall be authorized as a state rest area unless 
  2.21  its proposed location substantially satisfies the following 
  2.22  criteria: 
  2.23     (1) Is adjacent to or in near proximity to a trunk or 
  2.24  interstate highway; 
  2.25     (2) Is developed at appropriate intervals based on the type 
  2.26  of road system, traffic and traffic projections and known or 
  2.27  projected usage of the proposed development; 
  2.28     (3) May be near or associated with a place or area of 
  2.29  natural, scientific, cultural, or historic interest. 
  2.30     (c) Rest areas shall be administered by the commissioner of 
  2.31  transportation in cooperation with other agencies as appropriate 
  2.32  in a manner which is consistent with the purposes of this 
  2.33  subdivision.  State rest areas may be managed to provide 
  2.34  parking, resting, restroom, picnicking, orientation, travel 
  2.35  information, a native plant demonstration garden, and other 
  2.36  facilities for the convenience of the traveling public.  Where 
  3.1   located in conjunction with features of interest, state rest 
  3.2   areas shall provide interpretive exhibits or other facilities if 
  3.3   appropriate to promote understanding and enjoyment of the 
  3.4   features. 
  3.5      Sec. 4.  [APPROPRIATION.] 
  3.6      $112,000 is appropriated from the trunk highway fund to the 
  3.7   commissioner of transportation in fiscal year 1996 for the 
  3.8   purposes of section 1, including purchase of seedling plants, 
  3.9   mulch, signage, and public information materials. 
  3.10     Sec. 5.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
  3.11     This act is effective the day following final enactment.