Minnesota Administrative Rules

6100.5200 USE OF SNOWMOBILES ON PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS.

Subpart 1.

Permitted uses and exceptions.

Snowmobiles may be operated on public lands or waters under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of natural resources except that no persons shall operate a snowmobile in any of the following, except for law enforcement purposes:

A.

in any state park, state recreation area, state historic site, or state scientific and natural area with the exception of posted snowmobile trails or areas;

B.

in any state wildlife management area without the written permission of the agent in charge thereof in that part of the state lying south and west of a line described as follows: U.S. Highway No. 2 from East Grand Forks easterly to Bemidji; thence southerly along U.S. Highway No. 71 to Wadena; thence easterly along U.S. Highway No. 10 to Staples and U.S. Highway No. 210 to Carlton; thence east in a straight line to the easterly boundary of the state; and

C.

in any area in which such operation is or may hereafter be prohibited by law, regulations, order, or directive.

Subp. 2.

Regulation by government subdivisions of state.

Governmental subdivisions of the state may by resolution or ordinance regulate the operation of snowmobiles on public waters within their boundaries, provided such resolution or ordinance is not inconsistent with law or these parts. No resolution or ordinance restricting the period of time within which snowmobiles may be operated on public waters shall be valid with respect to such restriction unless first submitted to the commissioner of natural resources and approved by the commissioner in writing.

Subp. 3.

No dumping.

No person shall deposit any garbage, rubbish, offal, the body of any dead animal, or other litter upon public lands or waters or the ice thereon, other than in containers, provided thereof, or, without the consent of the owner, on private lands or water or ice thereon.

Subp. 4.

Speed limits.

Speed limits:

A.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or operate any snowmobile at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable or proper under all of the surrounding circumstances or at a rate that is greater than that set by the commissioner of natural resources pursuant to item B, on public lands or waters of this state under the jurisdiction of the commissioner of natural resources, provided that the operation of any snowmobile at a rate of speed in excess of 50 miles per hour on such lands or waters shall be unreasonable and unlawful unless operated pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of item C.

B.

Where necessary, the commissioner of natural resources may establish and post at reasonable intervals, a reasonable and safe maximum speed limit for the operation of snowmobiles along a specific portion of public trail or in a specific area of public land or water that is under the commissioner's jurisdiction. Such speed limit shall be effective when signs are erected and any operation of a snowmobile within such posted portion of trail or area in excess of the posted speed limit is unlawful.

C.

The speed limits established by item A and by the commissioner of natural resources under the authority of item B may be waived in writing by the commissioner during the pendency of an organized race or similar competitive event held upon such lands or waters.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 84.86

History:

17 SR 1279

Published Electronically:

June 11, 2008