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97C.001 EXPERIMENTAL WATERS.
    Subdivision 1. Definition; designation. (a) Experimental waters are lakes and streams where
special regulations are used and evaluated to meet a specific fisheries objective.
(b) The commissioner may designate any waters of the state having free access to the public
as experimental waters. The designated experimental waters may not exceed 200 lakes and 50
streams at one time. For all experimental waters, the commissioner shall develop an evaluation
plan and specify a termination date. On the termination date, the commissioner shall vacate or
extend the experimental waters designation, or designate the experimental waters as special
management waters under section 97C.005. The commissioner shall by rule establish methods
and criteria for public initiation of experimental waters designation and for public participation in
the evaluation of the waters designated.
(c) Designation of experimental waters under this section is not subject to chapter 14.
    Subd. 2. Public notice and meeting. (a) Before the commissioner designates, or vacates
or extends the designation of, experimental waters, a public meeting must be held in the county
where the largest portion of the waters is located.
(b) At least 90 days before the public meeting and during the open angling season for fish
the taking of which is, or is proposed to be, regulated under subdivision 3 on the waters under
consideration, notice of the proposed designation, vacation, or extension must be posted at
publicly maintained access points on the water.
(c) Before the public meeting, notice of the meeting must be published in a news release
issued by the commissioner and in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the
proposed experimental waters are located. The notice must be published at least once between 30
and 60 days before the meeting, and at least once between seven and 30 days before the meeting.
(d) The notices required in this subdivision must summarize the proposed action, invite
public comment, and specify a deadline for the receipt of public comments. The commissioner
shall mail a copy of each required notice to persons who have registered their names with the
commissioner for this purpose. The commissioner shall consider any public comments received
in making a final decision.
(e) If a water to be designated is a lake with a water area of more than 1,500 acres, or is a
stream or river with a reach of more than six miles, a public meeting must also be held in the
seven-county metropolitan area.
    Subd. 3. Seasons, limits, and other requirements. The commissioner may, in accordance
with the procedures in subdivision 2 or by rule under chapter 14, establish open seasons, limits,
methods, and other requirements for taking fish on experimental waters.
History: 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 386 art 3 s 1; 1992 c 462 s 15; 2000 c 473 s 12

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes