1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to aquaculture; imposing certain
1.3 	requirements; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004,
1.4 	section 17.4984, subdivision 1.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 17.4984,
1.7 	subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.8 		Subdivision 1.License required.  (a) A person or entity
1.9 	may not operate an aquatic farm without first obtaining an
1.10 	aquatic farm license from the commissioner.
1.11 	(b) Applications for an aquatic farm license must be made
1.12 	on forms provided by the commissioner.
1.13 	(c) The person or entity requesting the license for an
1.14 	aquatic farm in waters of the state must submit for each body of
1.15 	water a management plan that is designed to ensure that the
1.16 	ecological value for that water for waterfowl and other native
1.17 	aquatic wildlife will be maintained or restored.
1.18 	(d) If a water body has more than one shoreline owner, the
1.19 	person or entity requesting the license must fully disclose in
1.20 	writing plans for the body of water to each shoreline owner,
1.21 	obtain written permission from each owner, and submit a copy of
1.22 	each permission to the commissioner.
1.23 	(e) Before issuing a license, the commissioner must receive
1.24 	any written permissions and determine that the implementation of
1.25 	the management plan will ensure that the ecological value of the
2.1 	water will be maintained or restored.
2.2 	(f) Licenses are valid for five years and are transferable
2.3 	upon notification to the commissioner.
2.4 	(g) A license based on a management plan cannot be renewed
2.5 	until the commissioner determines that the ecological value of a
2.6 	licensed water body has been maintained or restored.
2.7 	(d) (h) The commissioner shall issue an aquatic farm
2.8 	license on payment of the required license fee under section
2.9 	17.4988 and compliance with this section.
2.10 	(e) (i) A license issued by the commissioner is not a
2.11 	determination of private property rights, but is only based on a
2.12 	determination that the licensee does not have a significant
2.13 	detrimental impact on the public resource.