HF 3722

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/22/2010 09:36am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; appropriating money for a pilot walk-in public
access program.

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

Section 1. PILOT WALK-IN PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM; APPROPRIATION.

(a) $....... in fiscal year 2011 is appropriated from the game and fish fund to the
commissioner of natural resources for a two-year pilot walk-in public access program. The
commissioner shall work with the Board of Water and Soil Resources and other interested
persons to design a pilot program. The commissioner shall pursue additional funding
and coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture. The commissioner
shall contract with landowners at locations within the agricultural areas of the state for
recreational access on lands containing at least 40 contiguous acres of game habitat.
At a minimum, all of the locations must be open to the public for taking game during
prescribed seasons from September 1 to the end of the small game season each year. Land
under contract pursuant to this section shall be treated the same as land made available
without charge for recreational purposes under Minnesota Statutes, sections 604A.20 to
604A.27. This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2012.

(b) By February 15, 2011, the commissioner shall provide a progress report to the
house of representatives and senate committees and divisions with primary jurisdiction
over natural resources policy and budget on the pilot walk-in public access program.
The report shall include:

(1) the number of acres and location of each pilot walk-in public access contract;

(2) information on landowner acceptance of the program;

(3) information on the design of the program, including payments for landowner
contracts and other criteria for the program;

(4) a copy of the landowner contract used for the pilot program;

(5) a proposed source of revenue for continuation of the program and the leverage of
federal funds; and

(6) habitat criteria for the public access walk-in contracts, including any
recommendations on use of money from other sources for restoration and enhancement of
the walk-in access sites.