1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to natural resources; modifying requirements
1.3 	for forest classification for off-highway vehicles;
1.4 	amending Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section
1.5 	167, subdivision 1.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Laws 2003, chapter 128, article 1, section 167,
1.8 	subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.9 		Subdivision 1.Forest classification status review. (a)
1.10 	Except as provided in paragraph (d),by December 31, 2006, the
1.11 	commissioner of natural resources shall complete a review of the
1.12 	forest classification status of all state forests classified as
1.13 	managed or limited, all forest lands under the authority of the
1.14 	commissioner as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 89.001,
1.15 	subdivision 13, and lands managed by the commissioner under
1.16 	Minnesota Statutes, section 282.011.  The review must be
1.17 	conducted on a forest-by-forest and area-by-area basis in
1.18 	accordance with the process and criteria under Minnesota Rules,
1.19 	part 6100.1950.  After each forest is reviewed, the commissioner
1.20 	must change its the status of the lands within each forest to
1.21 	limited or closed, and .  The commissioner may classify portions
1.22 	of a forest as limited or closed.  The commissioner must also 
1.23 	provide a similar status for each of the other areas subject to
1.24 	review under this section after each individual review is
1.25 	completed.
2.1 	(b) If the commissioner determines on January 1, 2005, that
2.2 	the review required under this section cannot be completed by
2.3 	December 31, 2006, the completion date for the review shall be
2.4 	extended to December 31, 2008.  By January 15, 2005, the
2.5 	commissioner shall report to the chairs of the legislative
2.6 	committees with jurisdiction over natural resources policy and
2.7 	finance regarding the status of the process required by this
2.8 	section.
2.9 	(c) Until December 31, 2010, the state forests and areas
2.10 	subject to review under this section are exempt from Minnesota
2.11 	Statutes, section 84.777, unless an individual forest or area
2.12 	has been classified as limited or closed.
2.13 	(d) This subdivision does not apply to forest lands north
2.14 	of U.S. Highway 2.  All forest lands under the authority of the
2.15 	commissioner as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 89.001,
2.16 	subdivision 13, and lands managed by the commissioner under
2.17 	Minnesota Statutes, section 282.011, that are north of U.S.
2.18 	Highway 2 shall be classified as managed for the purpose of
2.19 	off-highway vehicle use.