1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying management requirements for Sand Dunes 
1.3 	State Forest;amending Laws 2017, chapter 93, article 2, section 155, as amended.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. Laws 2017, chapter 93, article 2, section 155, as amended by Laws 2018, chapter 
1.6 	186, section 7, is amended to read:
1.7 	Sec. 155. SAND DUNES STATE FOREST MANAGEMENT.
 1.8 		Subdivision 1.Forest management. When managing the Sand Dunes State Forest, the 
1.9 	commissioner of natural resources must:
1.10 	(1) not convert additional land to oak savanna or convert oak savanna to nonforest land 
1.11 	unless it is done as a result of a contract entered into before the effective date of this section
1.12 	manage the forest for forest cover and habitats. Forest stands must consist of multiple ages 
1.13 	and multiple species to maximize forest health and resiliency;
1.14 	(2) manage rare features by focusing on species associated with forest habitats, wetlands, 
1.15 	and small forest openings;
1.16 	(2) (3) require all prairie seeds planted to be from native species of a local ecotype to 
1.17 	Sherburne or Benton County; and
1.18 	(3) (4) comply with the Minnesota Forest Resources Council's guidelines for aesthetics 
1.19 	in residential areas.
1.20 		Subd. 2.Prescribed burns; notification. At least 40 days before conducting a prescribed 
1.21 	burn, the commissioner must:
2.1 	(1) publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area;
2.2 	(2) notify the county and township in writing; and
2.3 	(3) notify residents within a quarter mile of the prescribed burn in writing.
2.4 		Subd. 3.School trust lands. Nothing in this section restricts the ability of the 
2.5 	commissioner or the school trust lands director from managing school trust lands within 
2.6 	the Sand Dunes State Forest for long-term economic return. No additional trust lands may 
2.7 	be transferred into Sand Dunes State Forest.
2.8 		Subd. 4.Township road. If the commissioner of natural resources finds that any portion 
2.9 	of 233rd Avenue within the Sand Dunes State Forest is not owned by the township, the 
2.10 	commissioner must convey an easement over and across state-owned lands administered 
2.11 	by the commissioner to the township under Minnesota Statutes, section 84.63, for the width 
2.12 	of 233rd Avenue. Notwithstanding the fee and market value payment requirements in 
2.13 	Minnesota Statutes, section 84.63, the commissioner shall convey easements to the township 
2.14 	at no cost, for existing roads currently maintained by the township across state-owned land 
2.15 	administered by the commissioner, located in Township 34N, Range 27W, Sections 15, 17, 
2.16 	20, 29, and 35 of Sherburne County, if the township lacks easements for the roads. In 
2.17 	addition, notwithstanding the fee and market value payment requirements in Minnesota 
2.18 	Statutes, section 84.63, the commissioner shall convey an easement to the township at no 
2.19 	cost for the existing road maintained by the township in the Northeast Quarter of the 
2.20 	Southeast Quarter, Section 36, Township 34N, Range 27W, Sherburne County, if the 
2.21 	township lacks an easement for such road. The commissioner may make necessary changes 
2.22 	to the legal description to correct errors and ensure accuracy.
2.23 		Subd. 4a.Annual meetings. The commissioner of natural resources must hold annual 
2.24 	meetings with local residents, stakeholders, and interested parties to discuss upcoming plans 
2.25 	for Sand Dunes State Forest. The meetings must be informative and elicit input on proposed 
2.26 	actions.
2.27 		Subd. 5.Sunset. This section expires two years from the day following final enactment
2.28 	January 1, 2035.

2.29 	EFFECTIVE DATE. This section is effective the day following final enactment.