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 	be consistent with this section, including amending Minnesota Rules, part 4410.4300, subpart 
1.9 	37, as follows:
1.10 	(1) item A must be amended to read: "Constructing a trail at least 25 miles long on 
1.11 	forested or other naturally vegetated land for a recreational use unless exempted by part 
1.12 	4410.4600, subpart 14, item D. In applying this item, if a proposed trail will contain segments 
1.13 	of newly constructed trail and segments that will follow an existing trail but be designated 
1.14 	for a new motorized use, an EAW must be prepared if the sum of the quotients obtained by 
1.15 	dividing the length of the new construction by 25 miles and length of the existing but newly 
1.16 	designated trail by 25 miles equals or exceeds one. Additions and designations under items 
1.17 	C and D do not apply to this formula.";
1.18 	(2) item B must be amended to read: "Designating at least 25 miles of an existing trail 
1.19 	for a new motorized recreational use other than snowmobiling. In applying this item, if a 
1.20 	proposed trail will contain segments of newly constructed trail and segments that will follow 
1.21 	an existing trail but be designated for a new motorized use, an EAW must be prepared if 
1.22 	the sum of the quotients obtained by dividing the length of the new construction by 25 miles 
2.1 	and the length of the existing but newly designated trail by 25 miles equals or exceeds one. 
2.2 	Additions and designations under items C and D do not apply to this formula.";
2.3 	(3) a new item C must be adopted to read: "When adding a new motorized recreational 
2.4 	use or seasonal motorized recreational use to an existing motorized recreational trail if the 
2.5 	treadway width is not expanded as a result of the added use, a mandatory EAW is not 
2.6 	required."; and
2.7 	(4) a new item D must be adopted to read: "When designating an existing, legally 
2.8 	constructed route for motorized recreational use, a mandatory EAW is not required."
2.9 	(b) The board may use the good cause exemption rulemaking procedure under Minnesota 
2.10 	Statutes, section 14.388, subdivision 1, clause (3), to adopt rules under this section, and 
2.11 	Minnesota Statutes, section 14.386, does not apply except as provided under Minnesota 
2.12 	Statutes, section 14.388.