Minnesota Session Laws - 1990, Regular Session

  

                         Laws of Minnesota 1990 

                        CHAPTER 445-S.F.No. 2127 
           An act relating to forestry; implementing a statewide 
          program to encourage maintenance and expansion of 
          community and urban forests; assigning 
          responsibilities to various state agencies and 
          municipalities; proposing coding for new law in 
          Minnesota Statutes, chapter 17.  
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
    Section 1.  [17.86] [URBAN FOREST PROMOTION AND 
DEVELOPMENT.] 
    Subdivision 1.  [OVERALL.] The following course of action 
is intended as a basis for prompt action to the maximum extent 
practical within the limits of state, local, and commercial 
resources.  The assignment of a basic responsibility to a 
particular agency is not intended to confer exclusive 
responsibility or authority unless specifically stated, for 
joint action is intended as the key to a successful program.  
    Subd. 2.  [RESEARCH.] The University of Minnesota and its 
extension service in cooperation with the commissioner of 
agriculture shall institute a continuing research program on 
tree varieties most suitable for growth within the state; and 
the proper placement of individual trees and groups of trees in 
new or existing commercial, industrial, and residential settings 
to maximize energy saving benefits.  The University of Minnesota 
and the commissioner shall work closely with nurseries and other 
suppliers of trees to assure a constant and reliable supply of 
the desirable varieties is available for planting.  
    Subd. 3.  [INFORMATION.] The University of Minnesota 
extension service, in cooperation with the commissioners of 
agriculture, education, natural resources, and public service, 
shall serve as the principal agency for publishing and 
circulating information derived from research under subdivision 
2 among the various municipalities and individual property 
owners in the state.  Where practical, the extension service and 
department of public service shall secure the advice and 
assistance of various energy utilities interested and concerned 
with conservation.  The commissioner of agriculture shall 
establish an information source for requests for nursery stock, 
to match needs of municipalities with stocks of trees available 
for planting from private and governmental sources.  
    Subd. 4.  [TRANSPORTATION PLANTINGS.] The commissioner of 
transportation shall utilize information on varieties and 
placement of trees to provide maximum forestation in rest areas 
and other areas controlled by the department.  The commissioner 
of transportation should consider the use of trees in 
conjunction with solid noise walls along urban freeways to the 
maximum extent practical. 
    Subd. 5.  [SCHOOL ARBOR DAY ACTIVITIES.] The commissioners 
of education, agriculture, and natural resources, with the state 
arbor month committee and its individual public and private 
members, shall jointly work to expand and strengthen programs 
available to all levels of schools in forestry education and 
shall encourage reinstitution of Arbor Day activities.  
Information on desirable shade tree varieties and efficient 
spacing and location of shade trees shall be made available for 
use in related adult education courses.  
    Subd. 6.  [MUNICIPAL ACTION.] A city of the first or second 
class shall, by ordinance, require of the developer the use of 
properly placed trees in new subdivisions and plantings on lands 
dedicated to parks and open spaces.  Cities of the third and 
fourth class may adopt such ordinances.  Counties may assist and 
encourage the smaller cities in tree planting programs.  A 
municipality may contract on a long-term basis with nurseries 
and shade tree wholesalers to assure continued availability of 
nursery stock of the desirable shade tree varieties. 
    Presented to the governor April 12, 1990 
    Signed by the governor April 16, 1990, 4:31 p.m.