Bill > SF1000

This bill aims to enhance the protection and management of aggregate resources (such as sand, gravel, and stone) in Minnesota by making several key changes. The bill requires local government planning authorities to more actively protect identified important aggregate resources in their land use decisions, mandating that they incorporate these protections into comprehensive land use plans, zoning ordinances, and other land use controls. It also expands the requirements for local land use plans to include an element specifically focused on protecting and developing access to aggregate resources. Additionally, the bill directs the commissioner of natural resources to develop recommendations by February 2026 for improving local government permitting processes to better protect aggregate resources and support environmentally responsible reclamation of mining sites. To support these goals, the bill appropriates $950,000 in each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Department of Natural Resources to map aggregate resource potential in counties outside the metropolitan area, update existing reclamation guidelines, and provide technical assistance to local governments. The mapping efforts will be done in consultation with the Minnesota Geological Survey and other state agencies, with the potential to adopt a regional approach to increase efficiency.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF1000&ssn=0&y=2025