HF 1132

1st Committee Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/19/2013 07:28pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; requiring increase in appraised estimates for timber
sales; requiring forest lease pilot project and reports.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPRAISED VOLUME TIMBER SALES; FISCAL YEARS 2010
AND 2011.
new text end

new text begin (a) During fiscal years 2010 and 2011, the commissioner of natural resources shall
increase the amount of timber products sold from state lands under permits based solely
on the appraiser's estimate of the timber volume described in the permit, as provided in
Minnesota Statutes, section 90.14, paragraph (c).
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner shall evaluate sales of timber under paragraph (a) and other
methods used to sell timber from state lands to identify the method, or combination of
methods, that is most efficient and effective in protecting the fiduciary interest of the
state, including the permanent school fund.
new text end

new text begin (c) By January 15, 2011, the commissioner shall report to the house of representatives
and senate natural resources policy and finance committees and divisions on the findings
of the evaluation process completed under paragraph (b).
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin FOREST MANAGEMENT LEASE PILOT PROJECT.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding the permit procedures of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 90,
the commissioner of natural resources may lease state-owned forest lands for forest
management purposes. The lease shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) require that the lessee comply with timber harvesting and forest management
guidelines developed under Minnesota Statutes, section 89A.05, adopted by the Minnesota
Forest Resources Council, and in effect at the time that the lease is issued; and
new text end

new text begin (2) provide for public access for hunting, fishing, and motorized and nonmotorized
recreation to the leased land that is the same as would be available under state management.
new text end

new text begin (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "state-owned forest lands" may include
school trust lands as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 92.025, or university land
granted to the state by Acts of Congress.
new text end

new text begin (c) By December 15, 2009, the commissioner of natural resources shall provide a
report to the house or representatives and senate natural resources policy and finance
committees and divisions on the pilot project. The report must detail a plan for
implementation of the pilot project with a starting date that is no later than July 1, 2010.
new text end

new text begin (d) Upon implementation of the pilot project, the commissioner shall provide an
annual report to the house of representatives and senate natural resources policy and
finance committees and divisions on the progress of the project, including the acres leased,
a breakdown of the types of forest land, and amounts harvested by species. The report
shall include a net revenue analysis comparing the lease revenue with the estimated net
revenue that would be obtained through state management and silvicultural practices cost
savings the state realizes through leasing.
new text end