1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to natural resources; allowing grant-in-aid 
  1.3             funds to be used on snowmobile trails in Voyageurs 
  1.4             National Park; modifying interference with taking of 
  1.5             wild animal provision; regulating entry into migratory 
  1.6             waterfowl refuges; providing fees for certain hunting 
  1.7             guides; licensing moose hunting guides; providing for 
  1.8             the acquisition of critical aquatic habitat; modifying 
  1.9             commercial netting provisions; prohibiting the use of 
  1.10            underwater video equipment to take fish; exempting 
  1.11            archery bows used for bowfishing from casing 
  1.12            requirement; prohibiting the taking of white bears; 
  1.13            permitting the commissioner to take catfish in certain 
  1.14            waters; modifying minnow retailer provisions; 
  1.15            modifying turtle license provisions; requiring the 
  1.16            commissioner of natural resources to study lifetime 
  1.17            hunting and fishing licenses; requiring the 
  1.18            commissioner of natural resources to study the 
  1.19            modification of species restrictions on shooting 
  1.20            preserves; requiring the commissioner of natural 
  1.21            resources to study the effect of cormorants on the 
  1.22            fish population in this state; authorizing the public 
  1.23            sale of certain tax-forfeited land that borders public 
  1.24            water in Mower county; authorizing the sale of certain 
  1.25            school trust land bordering public waters in St. Louis 
  1.26            county; modifying private sale of tax-forfeited land 
  1.27            provisions for Carlton county; authorizing the private 
  1.28            sale of certain lands in Aitkin county; authorizing 
  1.29            the sale of certain tax-forfeited land in Douglas 
  1.30            county; authorizing the private sale of certain 
  1.31            tax-forfeited peat land in St. Louis county; 
  1.32            designating certain lands as a waterfowl refuge; 
  1.33            requiring a certain level of walleye fingerlings to be 
  1.34            stocked in 1998; requiring hearings on walleye 
  1.35            stocking; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, sections 
  1.36            84.83, subdivision 3; 86A.04; 97A.037, subdivision 1; 
  1.37            97A.095, subdivision 1; 97B.051; 97B.411; 97C.041; 
  1.38            97C.325; 97C.501, subdivision 1; and 97C.605, 
  1.39            subdivisions 1 and 2; Minnesota Statutes 1997 
  1.40            Supplement, sections 97A.475, subdivisions 16 and 30; 
  1.41            and 97C.501, subdivision 2; Laws 1997, chapter 207, 
  1.42            section 7; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota 
  1.43            Statutes, chapters 97B; and 97C. 
  1.44  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  2.1      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 84.83, 
  2.2   subdivision 3, is amended to read: 
  2.3      Subd. 3.  [PURPOSES FOR THE ACCOUNT.] The money deposited 
  2.4   in the account and interest earned on that money may be expended 
  2.5   only as appropriated by law for the following purposes:  
  2.6      (1) for a grant-in-aid program to counties and 
  2.7   municipalities for construction and maintenance of snowmobile 
  2.8   trails, including maintenance of trails on lands and waters of 
  2.9   Voyageurs National Park; 
  2.10     (2) for acquisition, development, and maintenance of state 
  2.11  recreational snowmobile trails; 
  2.12     (3) for snowmobile safety programs; and 
  2.13     (4) for the administration and enforcement of sections 
  2.14  84.81 to 84.90. 
  2.15     Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 86A.04, is 
  2.16  amended to read: 
  2.17     86A.04 [COMPOSITION OF SYSTEM.] 
  2.18     The outdoor recreation system shall consist of all state 
  2.19  parks; state recreation areas; state trails established pursuant 
  2.20  to sections 84.029, subdivision 2, and 85.015; state scientific 
  2.21  and natural areas; state wilderness areas; state forests; state 
  2.22  wildlife management areas; state water access sites, which 
  2.23  include all lands and facilities established by the commissioner 
  2.24  of natural resources or the commissioner of transportation to 
  2.25  provide public access to water; state wild, scenic, and 
  2.26  recreational rivers; state historic sites; and state rest areas, 
  2.27  which include all facilities established by the commissioner of 
  2.28  transportation for the safety, rest, comfort and use of the 
  2.29  highway traveler, and shall include all existing facilities 
  2.30  designated as rest areas and waysides by the commissioner of 
  2.31  transportation; and any other units not enumerated herein that 
  2.32  are classified under section 86A.05.  Each individual state 
  2.33  park, state recreation area, and so forth is called a "unit." 
  2.34     Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.037, 
  2.35  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  2.36     Subdivision 1.  [INTERFERENCE WITH TAKING WILD ANIMALS 
  3.1   PROHIBITED.] A person who has the intent to prevent, or disrupt, 
  3.2   or dissuade the taking of another person from taking or 
  3.3   preparing to take a wild animal or enjoyment of the out-of-doors 
  3.4   may must not disturb or interfere with another that person who 
  3.5   if that person is lawfully taking a wild animal or preparing to 
  3.6   take a wild animal.  "Preparing to take a wild animal" includes 
  3.7   travel, camping, and other acts that occur on land or water 
  3.8   where the affected person has the right or privilege to take 
  3.9   lawfully a wild animal. 
  3.10     Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97A.095, 
  3.11  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  3.12     Subdivision 1.  [MIGRATORY WATERFOWL REFUGES.] The 
  3.13  commissioner shall designate by rule any part of a state game 
  3.14  refuge as a migratory waterfowl refuge if there is presented to 
  3.15  the commissioner a petition signed by ten resident licensed 
  3.16  hunters describing an area that is primarily a migratory 
  3.17  waterfowl refuge.  The commissioner shall post the area as a 
  3.18  migratory waterfowl refuge.  A person may not enter a posted 
  3.19  migratory waterfowl refuge during the open migratory waterfowl 
  3.20  season unless accompanied except under a permit issued by a 
  3.21  conservation officer or game refuge manager. 
  3.22     Sec. 5.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
  3.23  97A.475, subdivision 16, is amended to read: 
  3.24     Subd. 16.  [RESIDENT HUNTING GUIDES.] The fees for the 
  3.25  following resident guide licenses are: 
  3.26     (1) to guide bear hunters, $82.50; and 
  3.27     (2) to guide turkey hunters, $22; and 
  3.28     (3) to guide moose hunters, $82.50. 
  3.29     Sec. 6.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
  3.30  97A.475, subdivision 30, is amended to read: 
  3.31     Subd. 30.  [COMMERCIAL NETTING OF FISH.] The fees to take 
  3.32  commercial fish are: 
  3.33     (1) commercial license fees: 
  3.34     (i) for residents and nonresidents seining and netting in 
  3.35  inland waters, $90; 
  3.36     (ii) for residents netting in Lake Superior, $50; 
  4.1      (iii) for residents netting in Lake of the Woods, Rainy, 
  4.2   Namakan, and Sand Point lakes, $50; 
  4.3      (iv) for residents seining in the Mississippi River from St.
  4.4   Anthony Falls to the St. Croix River junction, $50; 
  4.5      (v) for residents seining, netting, and set lining in 
  4.6   Wisconsin boundary waters from Lake St. Croix to the Iowa 
  4.7   border, $50; and 
  4.8      (vi) for a resident apprentice license, $25; and 
  4.9      (2) commercial gear fees: 
  4.10     (i) for each gill net in Lake Superior, Wisconsin boundary 
  4.11  waters, and Namakan Lake, $3.50 per 100 feet of net; 
  4.12     (ii) for each seine in inland waters, on the Mississippi 
  4.13  River as described in section 97C.801, subdivision 2, and in 
  4.14  Wisconsin boundary waters, $7 per 100 feet; 
  4.15     (iii) for each commercial hoop net in inland waters, $1.25; 
  4.16     (iv) for each submerged fyke, trap, and hoop net in Lake 
  4.17  Superior, St. Louis Estuary, Lake of the Woods, and Rainy, 
  4.18  Namakan, and Sand Point lakes, and for each pound net in Lake 
  4.19  Superior, $15; 
  4.20     (v) for each stake and pound net in Lake of the Woods, $60; 
  4.21  and 
  4.22     (vi) for each set line in the Wisconsin boundary waters, 
  4.23  $20; and 
  4.24     (vii) for each trawl used in Lake Superior, $50.  
  4.25     Sec. 7.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.051, is 
  4.26  amended to read: 
  4.27     97B.051 [TRANSPORTATION OF ARCHERY BOWS.] 
  4.28     Except as specified under section 97C.376, a person may not 
  4.29  transport an archery bow in a motor vehicle unless the bow is:  
  4.30     (1) unstrung; 
  4.31     (2) completely contained in a case; or 
  4.32     (3) in the closed trunk of a motor vehicle. 
  4.33     Sec. 8.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97B.411, is 
  4.34  amended to read: 
  4.35     97B.411 [BEAR SEASON AND RESTRICTIONS.] 
  4.36     The commissioner may, by rule, prescribe the open season 
  5.1   and the areas and restrictions for the taking of bear.  A person 
  5.2   may not take a white bear. 
  5.3      Sec. 9.  [97B.512] [MOOSE HUNTING GUIDES.] 
  5.4      A person may not guide moose hunters for compensation 
  5.5   without a moose hunters guide license.  The license must be 
  5.6   purchased prior to the first day of the moose hunting season.  
  5.7   Licensed moose hunting guides must submit a report to the 
  5.8   commissioner within ten days of the close of the moose hunting 
  5.9   season on a form provided with the license.  The commissioner 
  5.10  may adopt rules for qualifications for issuance and 
  5.11  administration of the license.  
  5.12     Sec. 10.  [97C.007] [CRITICAL AQUATIC HABITAT.] 
  5.13     The commissioner shall acquire lands that are critical 
  5.14  habitat for fish and other aquatic life and that meet criteria 
  5.15  described for aquatic management areas in section 86A.05, 
  5.16  subdivision 14.  The lands that are acquired may be developed to 
  5.17  manage lakes, rivers, streams, and adjacent wetlands and lands 
  5.18  for aquatic life, water quality, intrinsic biological value, 
  5.19  public fishing, and other compatible outdoor recreational uses.  
  5.20  The lands may be acquired by gift, lease, easement, or 
  5.21  purchase.  The commissioner shall designate lands acquired under 
  5.22  this section as aquatic management areas for purposes of the 
  5.23  outdoor recreation system. 
  5.24     Sec. 11.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.041, is 
  5.25  amended to read: 
  5.26     97C.041 [COMMISSIONER MAY REMOVE ROUGH FISH.] 
  5.27     The commissioner may take rough fish, lake whitefish, and 
  5.28  rainbow smelt with seines, nets, and other devices.  The 
  5.29  commissioner may take catfish with seines, nets, and other 
  5.30  devices on the Minnesota-Wisconsin boundary waters.  The 
  5.31  commissioner may hire or contract persons, or issue permits, to 
  5.32  take the fish.  The commissioner shall prescribe the manner of 
  5.33  taking and disposal.  The commissioner may award a contract 
  5.34  under this section without competitive bidding.  Before 
  5.35  establishing the contractor's compensation, the commissioner 
  5.36  must consider the qualifications of the contractor, including 
  6.1   the contractor's equipment, knowledge of the waters, and ability 
  6.2   to perform the work.  
  6.3      Sec. 12.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.325, is 
  6.4   amended to read: 
  6.5      97C.325 [PROHIBITED METHODS OF TAKING FISH.] 
  6.6      (a) Except as specifically authorized, a person may not 
  6.7   take fish with: 
  6.8      (1) explosives, chemicals, drugs, poisons, lime, medicated 
  6.9   bait, fish berries, or other similar substances; 
  6.10     (2) substances or devices that kill, stun, or affect the 
  6.11  nervous system of fish; 
  6.12     (3) nets, traps, trot lines, or snares; or 
  6.13     (4) spring devices that impale, hook, or capture fish; or 
  6.14     (5) the assistance of underwater video equipment. 
  6.15     (b) If a person possesses a substance or device listed in 
  6.16  paragraph (a), clauses (1) to (4), on waters, shores, or 
  6.17  islands, it is presumptive evidence that the person is in 
  6.18  violation of this section.  
  6.19     (c) The commissioner may, by rule, allow the use of a 
  6.20  nonmotorized device with a recoil mechanism to take fish through 
  6.21  the ice. 
  6.22     (d) The commissioner may issue a permit to allow the use of 
  6.23  underwater video equipment to take fish for the production of 
  6.24  educational or entertainment programs for commercial purposes.  
  6.25     Sec. 13.  [97C.376] [BOWFISHING EXEMPTION.] 
  6.26     An archery bow used exclusively to harvest rough fish and 
  6.27  having an attached bowfishing reel and tethered arrow with a 
  6.28  harpoon-style bowfishing point is exempt from the transportation 
  6.29  restriction under section 97B.051 when the bow is being used in 
  6.30  a motorboat while powered by an electric trolling motor for the 
  6.31  pursuit of legal rough fish species. 
  6.32     Sec. 14.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.501, 
  6.33  subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  6.34     Subdivision 1.  [MINNOW RETAILERS.] (a) A person may not be 
  6.35  a minnow retailer without a minnow retailer license except as 
  6.36  provided in subdivision subdivisions 2, paragraph (d), and 3.  A 
  7.1   person must purchase a minnow retailer license for each minnow 
  7.2   retail outlet operated, except as provided under subdivision 2, 
  7.3   paragraph (d).  
  7.4      (b) A minnow retailer must obtain a minnow retailer's 
  7.5   vehicle license for each motor vehicle used by the minnow 
  7.6   retailer to transport more than 12 dozen minnows to the minnow 
  7.7   retailer's place of business, except as provided in subdivision 
  7.8   3.  A minnow retailer is not required to obtain a minnow 
  7.9   retailer's vehicle license if minnows are being transported by 
  7.10  common carrier and information is provided that allows the 
  7.11  commissioner to find out the location of the shipment in the 
  7.12  state. 
  7.13     Sec. 15.  Minnesota Statutes 1997 Supplement, section 
  7.14  97C.501, subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  7.15     Subd. 2.  [MINNOW DEALERS.] (a) A person may not be a 
  7.16  minnow dealer without a minnow dealer license except as provided 
  7.17  in subdivision 3. 
  7.18     (b) A minnow dealer must obtain a minnow dealer's vehicle 
  7.19  license for each motor vehicle used to transport minnows.  The 
  7.20  serial number, motor vehicle license number, make, and model 
  7.21  must be on the license.  The license must be conspicuously 
  7.22  displayed in the vehicle.  
  7.23     (c) A minnow dealer may not transport minnows out of the 
  7.24  state without an exporting minnow dealer license.  A minnow 
  7.25  dealer must obtain an exporting minnow dealer's vehicle license 
  7.26  for each motor vehicle used to transport minnows out of the 
  7.27  state.  The serial number, motor vehicle license number, make, 
  7.28  and model must be on the license.  The license must be 
  7.29  conspicuously displayed in the vehicle.  
  7.30     (d) A person with a minnow dealer license may sell minnows 
  7.31  at one retail outlet.  A minnow dealer must obtain a minnow 
  7.32  retailer license for each additional retail outlet operated.  A 
  7.33  minnow dealer operating a retail outlet under a minnow dealer 
  7.34  license must provide the following information for the retail 
  7.35  outlet: 
  7.36     (1) the name of the business; 
  8.1      (2) the city, state, and zip code where the retail outlet 
  8.2   is located; and 
  8.3      (3) the legal description or fire number. 
  8.4      The retail outlet name and location may be changed by 
  8.5   making application to the commissioner.  
  8.6      Sec. 16.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.605, 
  8.7   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  8.8      Subdivision 1.  [LICENSE REQUIRED.] A person may not take, 
  8.9   possess, buy, sell, or transport turtles without an angling 
  8.10  license, except as provided in subdivision 2.  
  8.11     Sec. 17.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 97C.605, 
  8.12  subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
  8.13     Subd. 2.  [SALES LICENSE.] (a) A person may not take, 
  8.14  possess, transport, or purchase turtles for sale without a 
  8.15  turtle seller's license, except as provided in this subdivision. 
  8.16     (b) A person does not need a turtle seller's license is not 
  8.17  required to buy turtles for retail sale to consumers or an 
  8.18  angling license: 
  8.19     (1) at a location licensed by the department of agriculture 
  8.20  or health for sale or preparation of food when buying turtles 
  8.21  for resale at a retail outlet; 
  8.22     (2) of a person licensed by the department of agriculture 
  8.23  or health for sale or preparation of food; or 
  8.24     (3) of a person when buying a turtle at a retail outlet; or 
  8.25     (3) if the person is a nonresident buying a turtle from a 
  8.26  licensed turtle seller for export out-of-state.  Shipping 
  8.27  documents provided by the turtle seller shall accompany each 
  8.28  shipment exported out-of-state by a nonresident.  Shipping 
  8.29  documents shall include: 
  8.30     (i) the name, address, city, state, and zip code of the 
  8.31  buyer; 
  8.32     (ii) the number of each species of turtle exported; and 
  8.33     (iii) the name and license number of the turtle seller. 
  8.34     Sec. 18.  [LIFETIME LICENSE STUDY.] 
  8.35     By January 15, 1999, the commissioner of natural resources 
  8.36  must submit a report to the house and senate environment and 
  9.1   natural resources committees regarding lifetime hunting and 
  9.2   fishing licenses, including an analysis of the potential for 
  9.3   success with the licenses, any problems associated with the 
  9.4   licenses, and an analysis of the fiscal impact of the licenses. 
  9.5      Sec. 19.  [SHOOTING PRESERVE STUDY.] 
  9.6      By January 15, 1999, the commissioner of natural resources 
  9.7   must submit a report to the house and senate environment and 
  9.8   natural resources committees regarding expansion of the species 
  9.9   allowed under Minnesota Statutes, section 97A.115. 
  9.10     Sec. 20.  [CORMORANT STUDY.] 
  9.11     By January 15, 1999, the commissioner of natural resources 
  9.12  must submit a report to the house and senate environment and 
  9.13  natural resources committees regarding the effect of cormorants 
  9.14  on the fish population in this state. 
  9.15     Sec. 21.  [SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; MOWER COUNTY.] 
  9.16     (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 
  9.17  282.018, subdivision 1, Mower county may sell the tax-forfeited 
  9.18  land bordering public water that is described in paragraph (c), 
  9.19  under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
  9.20  282. 
  9.21     (b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the 
  9.22  attorney general. 
  9.23     (c) The land to be sold is located in Mower county and is 
  9.24  described as: 
  9.25     The following portion of the South Half of the Northwest 
  9.26     Quarter and the North Half of the Southwest Quarter of 
  9.27     Section 33, Township 101 North, Range 18 West; Beginning at 
  9.28     a point 703.9 feet East of a point on the West Section line 
  9.29     1729 feet North of the Southwest corner of said Section 33, 
  9.30     thence due East 1216 feet to the center of the Cedar river, 
  9.31     thence North 30 degrees 52 minutes West along the 
  9.32     centerline of said river 534 feet, thence North 35 degrees 
  9.33     50 minutes West along said centerline 272 feet; thence 
  9.34     North 51 degrees 20 minutes West along said centerline 357 
  9.35     feet, thence North 12 degrees 26 minutes East along said 
  9.36     centerline 359 feet to a point 605 feet due East of a point 
 10.1      1264.9 feet North of the place of beginning, thence 605 
 10.2      feet due West to said point 1264.9 feet North of the place 
 10.3      of beginning, thence 1264.9 feet South to the place of 
 10.4      beginning, containing 25 acres; Also an easement for 
 10.5      cartway purposes for ingress to and egress from the 
 10.6      above-described 25 acre tract, upon a strip of land 33 feet 
 10.7      north and south, the north line of which borders upon the 
 10.8      south line of the land conveyed to the Woodbury cemetery 
 10.9      association of Lyle, Mower County, Minnesota, by the deed 
 10.10     recorded in Book 14 of Deeds, page 488, in the office of 
 10.11     the register of deeds of said county, and which extends 
 10.12     from the highway along the west line of said section, 
 10.13     eastward to the said 25-acre tract. 
 10.14     (d) The county has determined that the county's land 
 10.15  management interests would best be served if the land was 
 10.16  returned to private ownership. 
 10.17     Sec. 22.  [SALE OF SCHOOL TRUST LAND IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY.] 
 10.18     (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.45, the 
 10.19  commissioner of natural resources may sell at public sale the 
 10.20  leased school trust land bordering public waters described in 
 10.21  paragraph (c) under the remaining provisions of Minnesota 
 10.22  Statutes, chapter 92. 
 10.23     (b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the 
 10.24  attorney general. 
 10.25     (c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis county and 
 10.26  is described as:  
 10.27     Lot 1, Block 1, Spirit Lake Shores Plat, Section 25, 
 10.28  Township 58 North, Range 19 West. 
 10.29     (d) The improvements on the land that are owned by the 
 10.30  lessee must be purchased separately from the land, as prescribed 
 10.31  in Minnesota Statutes, section 92.06, subdivision 4. 
 10.32     Sec. 23.  Laws 1997, chapter 207, section 7, is amended to 
 10.33  read: 
 10.34     Sec. 7.  [PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; CARLTON 
 10.35  COUNTY.] 
 10.36     (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 
 11.1   282.018, subdivision 1, and the public sale provisions of 
 11.2   Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, Carlton county may sell by 
 11.3   private sale the tax-forfeited land described in paragraph (d) 
 11.4   under the remaining provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 
 11.5   282. 
 11.6      (b) The land described in paragraph (d) may be sold by 
 11.7   private sale.  The consideration for the conveyance must include 
 11.8   the taxes due on the property and any penalties, interest, and 
 11.9   costs shall be the appraised value of the land.  If the lands 
 11.10  are sold, the conveyance must reserve to the state a 
 11.11  conservation perpetual easement, in a form prescribed by the 
 11.12  commissioner of natural resources, for the land within 100 feet 
 11.13  of the ordinary high water level of Slaughterhouse creek for 
 11.14  public angler access and stream habitat protection and 
 11.15  enhancement for the benefit of the state of Minnesota, 
 11.16  department of natural resources, over the following lands: 
 11.17     A strip of land lying in the North 6.66 acres of the West 
 11.18  Half of the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of 
 11.19  Section 6, Township 48 North, Range 16 West, Carlton county.  
 11.20  Said strip lying 100 feet on each side of the centerline of 
 11.21  Slaughterhouse Creek. 
 11.22     (c) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the 
 11.23  attorney general. 
 11.24     (d) The land to be conveyed is located in Carlton county 
 11.25  and is described as: 
 11.26     North 6.66 acres of the West Half of the Northeast Quarter 
 11.27  of the Southwest Quarter, subject to pipeline easement, Section 
 11.28  6, Township 48 North, Range 16 West, City of Carlton. 
 11.29     (e) Carlton county has determined that this sale best 
 11.30  serves the land management interests of Carlton county. 
 11.31     Sec. 24.  [AITKIN COUNTY; PRIVATE SALE.] 
 11.32     (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 94.09 to 
 11.33  94.16, the commissioner of natural resources may sell by private 
 11.34  sale for a consideration of not less than the appraised value, 
 11.35  excluding improvements, to the holder of the life estate in the 
 11.36  tract of land described in paragraph (c).  
 12.1      (b) The sale shall be in a form approved by the attorney 
 12.2   general.  
 12.3      (c) The land to be sold is in Aitkin county, Minnesota in 
 12.4   the Vendla Badger wildlife management area and is described as: 
 12.5      That part of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter 
 12.6   of Section 12, Township 46 North, Range 26 West, Aitkin county, 
 12.7   Minnesota, described as follows:  
 12.8      Commencing at a 1-1/4 inch iron pipe at the south quarter 
 12.9   corner of said Section 12; thence EAST, bearing assumed, on the 
 12.10  south line of said Section 12, a distance of 141.85 feet to the 
 12.11  point of beginning; thence NORTH 725.00 feet; thence EAST 450.00 
 12.12  feet; thence SOUTH 725.00 feet to said south line; thence WEST 
 12.13  on said south line 450.00 feet to the point of beginning; 
 12.14  containing 7.5 acres, more or less.  
 12.15     (d) The buyer's predecessor donated land to the state for 
 12.16  the Vendla Badger wildlife management area, including the land 
 12.17  described in paragraph (c), but retained a possessory interest 
 12.18  in the land described in paragraph (c).  The sale gives the 
 12.19  buyer full title free of state interest. 
 12.20     Sec. 25.  [SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND; DOUGLAS COUNTY.] 
 12.21     (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, sections 92.45 and 
 12.22  282.018, subdivision 1, Douglas county may sell the 
 12.23  tax-forfeited land bordering public water that is described in 
 12.24  paragraph (c), under the remaining provisions of Minnesota 
 12.25  Statutes, chapter 282. 
 12.26     (b) The conveyance must be in a form approved by the 
 12.27  attorney general.  Consideration shall be for not less than the 
 12.28  appraised value as determined by the Douglas county board. 
 12.29     (c) The land to be sold is located in Douglas county and is 
 12.30  described as: 
 12.31     Lot 43, block 1, Christinas Moon Lake Heights, section 28, 
 12.32     Township 129 North, Range 39 West. 
 12.33     (d) The county has determined that the county's land 
 12.34  management interests would best be served if the land was 
 12.35  returned to private ownership. 
 12.36     Sec. 26.  [PRIVATE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED PEAT LAND; ST. 
 13.1   LOUIS COUNTY.] 
 13.2      (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 92.461, the 
 13.3   public sale provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282, or 
 13.4   other law to the contrary, St. Louis county may sell by private 
 13.5   sale the tax-forfeited land with commercial quantities of peat 
 13.6   that is described in paragraph (c), under the remaining 
 13.7   provisions of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 282. 
 13.8      (b) The land described in paragraph (c) may be sold by 
 13.9   private sale for its appraised value.  The sale must be in a 
 13.10  form approved by the attorney general. 
 13.11     (c) The land to be sold is located in St. Louis county and 
 13.12  is described as: 
 13.13     The east one-half of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest 
 13.14     Quarter, Section 11, Township 55 North, Range 18 West. 
 13.15     (d) The county has determined that the county's land 
 13.16  management interests would best be served if the land was 
 13.17  returned to private ownership.  
 13.18     Sec. 27.  [SWAN LAKE MIGRATORY WATERFOWL REFUGE.] 
 13.19     (a) The lands described in paragraph (b) are designated a 
 13.20  state migratory waterfowl refuge under Minnesota Statutes, 
 13.21  section 97A.095, subdivision 1. 
 13.22     (b) All of the area contained within the following boundary 
 13.23  lines:  beginning at the northeast corner of Section 24, 
 13.24  Township 110 North, Range 29 West, and running thence West on 
 13.25  the Section line 160 rods, more or less, to the Northwest 
 13.26  Quarter corner of said Section 24, thence south on the center 
 13.27  line of said Section 24, eighty rods more or less, thence in a 
 13.28  southwesterly direction to the center of the southeast quarter 
 13.29  of Section 23, thence south eighty rods more or less to the 
 13.30  south section line of said Section 23, thence east on said south 
 13.31  line of said Section 23, to a point one rod West of the 
 13.32  meandered line of Johnson Island, thence southerly and easterly 
 13.33  on a line parallel with and one rod distant, from said meandered 
 13.34  line of Johnson Island to a point where said line intersects the 
 13.35  north and south center line of Section 25 in said Township and 
 13.36  Range; thence 200 feet south, thence east to the east line of 
 14.1   Section 25 in said Township and Range, thence running north on 
 14.2   the east line of said Sections 25 and 24, to the point of 
 14.3   commencement. 
 14.4      Sec. 28.  [1998 FISH STOCKING REQUIREMENTS; INTERIM 
 14.5   HEARINGS.] 
 14.6      During 1998, the commissioner of natural resources shall 
 14.7   stock 90,000 pounds of walleye fingerlings in accordance with 
 14.8   fisheries management plans for individual waters.  The 
 14.9   commissioner shall evaluate the potential to improve walleye 
 14.10  stocking.  Appropriate legislative committees shall hold interim 
 14.11  hearings to provide public input on improved walleye stocking.  
 14.12  The committees shall report to the legislature by March 1, 1999, 
 14.13  on any recommendations for continued stocking efforts. 
 14.14     Sec. 29.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
 14.15     This act is effective the day following final enactment.