Bill Text: MN SF1371 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Honey bee habitat program establishment
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-13 - Referred to Environment and Energy [SF1371 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF1371-Introduced.html
1.2relating to natural resources; establishing a honey bee habitat program; allowing
1.3honey bee habitat projects on lands under certain conservation easements;
1.4amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103F.515, subdivision 4; proposing
1.5coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. [84.973] HONEY BEE HABITAT PROGRAM.
1.8The commissioner of natural resources shall establish a honey bee habitat program to
1.9provide enhanced honey bee and other pollinator habitat on state lands. The commissioner
1.10shall identify state lands suitable for enhanced honey bee habitat projects and ensure
1.11state lands throughout the state provide enhanced honey bee and other pollinator habitat.
1.12Notwithstanding section 86A.05, subdivision 2, or any other law to the contrary, the
1.13commissioner may plant native and nonnative plants beneficial to honey bees and other
1.14pollinators as part of an enhanced honey bee habitat project. The commissioner shall
1.15exclude native prairie and lands within state scientific and natural areas from inclusion in a
1.16honey bee habitat project.
1.17 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103F.515, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.18 Subd. 4. Nature of property rights acquired. (a) A conservation easement must
1.19prohibit:
1.20(1) alteration of wildlife habitat and other natural features, unless specifically
1.21approved by the board;
1.22(2) agricultural crop production and livestock grazing, unless specifically approved
1.23by the board for conservation management purposes or extreme drought; and
1.24(3) spraying with chemicals or mowing, except:
2.1(i) as necessary to comply with noxious weed control laws;
2.2(ii) for emergency control of pests necessary to protect public health; or
2.3(iii) as approved by the board for conservation management purposes.
2.4(b) A conservation easement is subject to the terms of the agreement provided in
2.5subdivision 5.
2.6(c) A conservation easement must allow repairs, improvements, and inspections
2.7necessary to maintain public drainage systems provided the easement area is restored to
2.8the condition required by the terms of the conservation easement.
2.9(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the board must permit the harvest of native
2.10grasses for use in seed production or bioenergy on wellhead protection lands eligible
2.11under subdivision 2, paragraph (d).
2.12(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the board may permit the planting of native and
2.13nonnative species beneficial to honey bees and other pollinators as part of a honey bee
2.14habitat project, except on lands containing native prairie. The board shall develop a list of
2.15suitable plantings, best management practices, and standards for honey bee habitat projects
2.16allowable under this paragraph in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources.
1.3honey bee habitat projects on lands under certain conservation easements;
1.4amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103F.515, subdivision 4; proposing
1.5coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 84.
1.6BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.7 Section 1. [84.973] HONEY BEE HABITAT PROGRAM.
1.8The commissioner of natural resources shall establish a honey bee habitat program to
1.9provide enhanced honey bee and other pollinator habitat on state lands. The commissioner
1.10shall identify state lands suitable for enhanced honey bee habitat projects and ensure
1.11state lands throughout the state provide enhanced honey bee and other pollinator habitat.
1.12Notwithstanding section 86A.05, subdivision 2, or any other law to the contrary, the
1.13commissioner may plant native and nonnative plants beneficial to honey bees and other
1.14pollinators as part of an enhanced honey bee habitat project. The commissioner shall
1.15exclude native prairie and lands within state scientific and natural areas from inclusion in a
1.16honey bee habitat project.
1.17 Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 103F.515, subdivision 4, is amended to read:
1.18 Subd. 4. Nature of property rights acquired. (a) A conservation easement must
1.19prohibit:
1.20(1) alteration of wildlife habitat and other natural features, unless specifically
1.21approved by the board;
1.22(2) agricultural crop production and livestock grazing, unless specifically approved
1.23by the board for conservation management purposes or extreme drought; and
1.24(3) spraying with chemicals or mowing, except:
2.1(i) as necessary to comply with noxious weed control laws;
2.2(ii) for emergency control of pests necessary to protect public health; or
2.3(iii) as approved by the board for conservation management purposes.
2.4(b) A conservation easement is subject to the terms of the agreement provided in
2.5subdivision 5.
2.6(c) A conservation easement must allow repairs, improvements, and inspections
2.7necessary to maintain public drainage systems provided the easement area is restored to
2.8the condition required by the terms of the conservation easement.
2.9(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the board must permit the harvest of native
2.10grasses for use in seed production or bioenergy on wellhead protection lands eligible
2.11under subdivision 2, paragraph (d).
2.12(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the board may permit the planting of native and
2.13nonnative species beneficial to honey bees and other pollinators as part of a honey bee
2.14habitat project, except on lands containing native prairie. The board shall develop a list of
2.15suitable plantings, best management practices, and standards for honey bee habitat projects
2.16allowable under this paragraph in consultation with the commissioner of natural resources.
