1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; requiring a wild rice management plan.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. WILD RICE MANAGEMENT PLAN.
 1.5 	By February 15, 2008, the commissioner of natural resources must prepare a 
1.6 	management plan for native wild rice that includes:
1.7 	(1) the present and projected population and area of native stands;
1.8 	(2) identified threats to native stands, including, but not limited to, development 
1.9 	pressure, water levels, pollution, invasive species, and genetic strains; and
1.10 	(3) recommendations to the house and senate committees with jurisdiction over 
1.11 	natural resources on protecting and increasing native wild rice stands in the state.
1.12 	In developing the management plan, the commissioner must contact and ask for 
1.13 	comments from the state's wild rice industry, local officials with significant areas of wild 
1.14 	rice within their jurisdictions, affected Native American reservations, and interested 
1.15 	citizens.

1.16 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.