1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to environment; expanding exemptions from requirements for 
1.3 	environmental assessment worksheets for certain recreational trails.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. RECREATIONAL TRAILS; ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW; 
1.6 	RULEMAKING.
 1.7 	(a) The Environmental Quality Board must amend Minnesota Rules, chapter 4410, to 
1.8 	exempt construction, extension, or modification of a recreational trail from the requirement 
1.9 	for a mandatory environmental assessment worksheet when:
1.10 	(1) the trail is constructed on:
1.11 	(i) an existing or abandoned forest road;
1.12 	(ii) the road bed of an abandoned public road;
1.13 	(iii) an abandoned railroad right-of-way;
1.14 	(iv) mining spoils; or
1.15 	(v) lean ore piles; and
1.16 	(2) the length of the trail does not exceed 100 miles.
1.17 	(b) For purposes of determining the length of the trail, any portion of an existing trail 
1.18 	must not be included.
1.19 	(c) The board may use the good cause exemption rulemaking procedure under Minnesota 
1.20 	Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and 
2.1 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota 
2.2 	Statutes, section 14.388.