Minnesota Session Laws - 2016, Regular Session

CHAPTER 181--H.F.No. 3353

An act

relating to agriculture; establishing voluntary solar site management practices for solar sites;

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 Department of Natural Resources "Prairie Establishment and Maintenance Technical Guidance for Solar Projects." 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

Presented to the governor May 24, 2016

Signed by the governor May 31, 2016, 10:22 a.m.