Bill > HF254

This bill modifies Minnesota's process for maintaining and updating the public waters inventory map, which identifies and classifies bodies of water in the state. The bill changes language from "shall" to "must" throughout the statute, signaling a more mandatory approach to map maintenance. The commissioner of natural resources is now required to systematically reclassify certain types of wetlands (types 3, 4, and 5) that were previously identified as public waters wetlands, with specific criteria for reclassification including shoreland management classification, wetland type, or government ownership. The bill establishes a formal notification process where local government units, county boards, watershed districts, and soil and water conservation districts must be notified of any reclassification and have 60 days to object, which would halt the proposed changes. The commissioner is given the ability to revise county public waters inventory maps to correct errors, add or subtract trout stream tributaries, include large depleted quarries and gravel pits in residential zones, and account for water bodies created or eliminated through permitting processes. To support these updates, the bill appropriates $1,000,000 annually from the general fund for fiscal years 2025-2032, with the appropriation set to expire on June 30, 2032.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF0254&ssn=0&y=2025