2004 Minnesota Statutes

     89.011 Forest resource management plan. 

    Subdivision 1.    Preparation.  By July 1, 1983, the 
 commissioner shall prepare a comprehensive forest resource 
 management plan designed to implement the policies stated in 
 section 89.002.  The plan shall include an assessment and 
 program elements as provided in subdivisions 2 and 3 and any 
 other issues which the commissioner determines should be 
 included in the plan.  

    Subd. 2.    Forest assessment.  The assessment shall be 
 updated at least once every ten years and shall include but not 
 be limited to the following:  

    (a) The present and projected use and supply of and demand 
 for forest resources in the state; 

    (b) The development of a forest resources database, 
 compatible with the database of the Minnesota Land Management 
 Information Center, capable of continuous updating and usable as 
 a tool in effectively managing forest resources, utilizing 
 existing databases as much as practicable; 

    (c) The current and anticipated reforestation needs for 
 forest land, including the amount of backlog areas, current and 
 anticipated allowable harvests, identifying poorly stocked 
 forest land, and delineating those areas needing reforestation 
 which are prime forest lands or otherwise likely to produce 
 optimum public benefits from reforestation; and 

    (d) An inventory and map of all existing state forest roads 
 and classification by use, standard and condition.  

    Subd. 3.    Program elements.  The program shall be 
 updated every four years and shall describe specific actions to 
 address the assessment and to implement the forest resources 
 management policy of section 89.002, including but not limited 
 to:  

    (a) Improvement of silvicultural practices and improved 
 methods for harvesting and utilizing timber and timber residues; 

    (b) Measures to improve reforestation practices; 

    (c) Measures to enhance recreational opportunities and fish 
 and wildlife habitat; 

    (d) The identification of "prime forest land" according to 
 criteria developed by the commissioner; 

    (e) Priorities for construction and improvement of forest 
 roads to achieve the state forest road policy, including the 
 development of alternative methods for financing forest road 
 construction, improvement and maintenance, and for imposing a 
 reasonable share of the costs of the forest road system on those 
 who directly benefit from the availability and use of the 
 system; 

    (f) A description of how the multiple use and sustained 
 yield management policy will apply to decisions about other 
 public and private uses of forest lands and resources, including:

    (1) extractive uses; 

    (2) utility corridors; 

    (3) industrial, commercial, agricultural and institutional 
 uses; 

    (4) residential and seasonal use; and 

    (g) An estimate of the expenditures necessary to implement 
 the elements of the program, along with the sources and amounts 
 of revenue available or necessary to finance the estimated 
 expenditures.  

    Subd. 4.    Federal coordination.  The Department of 
 Natural Resources shall coordinate all forest resources planning 
 efforts with the appropriate federal agencies in order to 
 achieve optimum public benefit, to obtain federal assistance, to 
 participate in the federal forestry planning process, and to 
 enhance the productivity and multiple use management of forest 
 resources.  

    Subd. 5.    Public and private coordination.  The 
 Department of Natural Resources shall coordinate all forest 
 resources planning efforts with counties and other public 
 agencies and private organizations engaged in forest resource 
 management and research.  

    Subd. 6.    Staff assistance.  In preparing the forest 
 resources management plan the commissioner is authorized to 
 utilize existing professional staffs of state agencies when the 
 expertise of the staff of a state agency is necessary to fully 
 prepare the plan.  

    HIST: 1982 c 511 s 5