as introduced - 80th Legislature (1997 - 1998) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am
1.1 A bill for an act 1.2 relating to transportation; restricting road 1.3 authorities from changing roads over natural areas; 1.4 proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, 1.5 chapter 160. 1.6 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 1.7 Section 1. [160.825] [ROADS IN NATURAL AREAS.] 1.8 Subdivision 1. [DEFINITION.] "Natural area" means publicly 1.9 owned land of a park; recreation area; wildlife or waterfowl 1.10 refuge of national, state, or local significance; native 1.11 prairie; calcareous fens; designated trout streams; natural 1.12 springs; and historic sites. 1.13 Subd. 2. [RESTRICTIONS.] A road authority may not 1.14 construct or change the width, grade, or alignment of a road 1.15 over a natural area that would affect wildlife habitat or damage 1.16 a natural area unless: 1.17 (1) the change is required to permit the safe travel of 1.18 vehicles at the speed lawfully designated for the natural area, 1.19 in which case the change must be made; 1.20 (2) there is no prudent and feasible alternative to using 1.21 the land involved in the construction or change; 1.22 (3) all reasonable steps are taken to minimize harm to the 1.23 natural area; and 1.24 (4) there is no feasible public transportation alternative 1.25 to the construction of or change in the road. 2.1 Sec. 2. [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 2.2 Section 1 is effective August 1, 1998, and applies to any 2.3 project for which a road authority has not obligated funds 2.4 before that date.