HF 3353

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/04/2016 09:54am

A bill for an act
relating to agriculture; establishing voluntary solar site management practices
for solar sites; allowing local governments to require management practices as a
condition of a site permit; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 216B.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [216B.1642] SOLAR SITE MANAGEMENT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Site management practices. new text end

new text begin An owner of a ground-mounted solar
site with a generating capacity of more than 40 kilowatts may follow site management
practices that (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat beneficial to
gamebirds, songbirds, and pollinators, and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at
the solar generation site. To the extent practicable, when establishing perennial vegetation
and beneficial foraging habitat, a solar site owner shall use native plant species and seed
mixes under the Board of Water and Soil Resources native vegetation establishment and
enhancement guidelines.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Recognition of beneficial habitat. new text end

new text begin An owner of a solar site implementing
solar site management practices under this section may claim that the site provides
benefits to gamebirds, songbirds, and pollinators only if the site adheres to guidance set
forth by the pollinator plan provided by the Board of Water and Soil Resources or any
other gamebird, songbird, or pollinator foraging-friendly vegetation standard established
by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. An owner making a beneficial habitat claim
must make the site's vegetation management plan available to the public and provide a
copy of the plan to a Minnesota nonprofit solar industry trade association.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Condition of local approval. new text end

new text begin A local government may require, as a
condition of any solar site permit approval process for ground-mounted solar panels,
that a project proposer (1) include in the permit application a plan for site management
consistent with subdivision 1, and (2) maintain any site management practices consistent
with the management plan for the duration of the site permit.
new text end