Bill > SF279

This bill amends Minnesota's statutes regarding public waters inventory by modifying how the commissioner of natural resources manages and updates maps of public waters. The bill changes language from "shall" to "must" to strengthen requirements and provides more specific guidelines for reclassifying and revising public waters inventory maps. Key provisions include allowing the commissioner to reclassify certain wetlands as public waters under specific conditions, such as having a shoreland management classification or being a lacustrine wetland, and providing a formal process for local governments to object to reclassifications. The bill also enables map revisions to correct errors, add or subtract trout stream tributaries, include large depleted quarries and sand and gravel pits in residential zones, and account for waters created or eliminated through permitted actions. Additionally, the bill appropriates $1,000,000 annually from the general fund from fiscal years 2025 through 2032 to support updating the public water inventory, with the funding provision set to expire on June 30, 2032.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF0279&ssn=0&y=2025