HF 3159

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/22/2016 08:11am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; modifying definitions pertaining to buffer
requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 103F.48,
subdivision 1.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2015 Supplement, section 103F.48, subdivision 1,
is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Definitions.

(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms
have the meanings given them.

(b) "Board" means the Board of Water and Soil Resources.

(c) "Buffer" means an area consisting of perennial vegetation, excluding invasive
plants and noxious weeds, adjacent to all bodies of water within the state and that protects
the water resources of the state from runoff pollution; stabilizes soils, shores, and banks;
and protects or provides riparian corridors.

(d) "Buffer protection map" means buffer maps established and maintained by the
commissioner of natural resources.

(e) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of natural resources.

(f) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Board of Water and
Soil Resources.

(g) "Local water management authority" means a watershed district, metropolitan
water management organization, or county operating separately or jointly in its role as
local water management authority under chapter 103B or 103D.

(h) "Normal water level" means the level evidenced by the long-term presence of
surface water as indicated directly by hydrophytic plants or hydric soils or indirectly
determined via hydrological models or analysis.

(i) "Public waters" has the meaning given in section 103G.005, subdivision 15 new text begin ,
excluding clauses (9) and (11) new text end .