2007 Wild Rice Bills

in

 

HFBILL 1662

 A bill for an act

relating to natural resources.

BE IT ENACTEDBY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section1. WILD RICE MANAGEMENT PLAN.

    By february 15, 2008, the commissioner of natural resources must prepare a management plan for native wild rice that includes:

     (a) the present and projected population and area of native stands;

     (b) identified threats to native stands, including, but not limited to, devlopment pressure, water levels, pollution, invasive species, and genetic straisn; and

     (c) recommendations to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources on protecting and increasing native wild rice stands in the state.

      In developing the mangement plan, the commissioner must contact and ask for comments from the state's wild rice industry, local officials with significant areas of wild rice within their jurisdictions, affected Native Aemrican reservations and interested citizens.

 

EFFECTiVE DATE.  This act is effective the day following final encactment.

 

 

HF BILL 1663

A bill for an act

relating to environment modifying provisions for regulating genetically engineered organisms, amending Minnesota Statues 2006, sections 116C.92:116C.94, subdivision 1; 116C.97, subdivision 2.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF TEH STATE OF MINNESOTA.

Section 1. Minnesota Statues 2006; section 116C.92, is amended to read:

116C.92 COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES.

     Subdivision1. State coordinating organization.  The EnvironmentalQuality Board is deisgnated the state coordinating organization for state and federal regulatory activiteis relating to genetically engineered organisms.

     Subdivision 2. Notice of nationwide action.  The board shall notify interested parties if a permit to release genetically modified rice is issued anywhere in the United States.  For purposes of this subdivision, "interested parties" means:

   (1) the state's wild rice industry;

   (2) the legislature;

   (3) state tribal leaders, and

   (4) individuals who request to be notified.

 

Sec. 2. Minnestoa Statues 2006, section 116C.94, subdivision 1, is amended to read: 

     Subdivision 1. General authority.  (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b). The board shall adopt rules consistent with sectiosn 116C.91 to 116C.96 that require an environmental assessment worksheet and otherwise comply with chapter 116D and rules adopted under it for a proposed release and a permit for a release.  The board may place conditions on a permit and may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke a permit.

     (b) The board shall adopt rules that require an environmental impact statement and otherwise comply with chapter 116D and rules adopted under it for a proposed release and a permit for a release of genetically engineered wild rice.  The board may place conditions on the permit and may deny, modify, suspend, or revoke the permit.

  Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116C.97, subdiviision 2, is amended to read:

Subdi.2. Federal oversight. (a) If the board determines, upon its own volition or at the request of any person, that a federal program exists for regulating the release of certain genetically engineered organisms and the federal ovesight under the program is adequate to protect human health or the environment, then any person may release such genetically engineered organisms after obtaining the necessary federal approval and without obtaining a state release permit or a significant environmental permit or complying with the other requirements of sectiosn 116C.91 to 116C.96 and the rules of the board adopted pursuant to section 116C.94

    (b) If the board determines the federal program is adequate to meet only certain requirements of section 1116C.91 to 116C.96 and the rules of the board adopted pursuant to section 116C.94, the board may exempt such releases from those requirements.

     (c) A person proposing a release for which a federal authorizations is required may apply to the board for an exemption from the board's permit or to a state agency with a significant environmental permit for the proposed release for an exemptions for the agency's permit.  The proposer must  file with the board or the state agency a written request for exemption with a copy of the federal application and the information necessary to determine if there is a potential for significant environmental effects under chapter 116D and rules adopted under it.  The board or state agency shall give public notice of the request in the first available issue of the EQB Monitor and shall provide an oopportunity for public comment on the environmental review process consistent with chapter 116D and rules adopted under it . The board or state agency may grant the exemption if the board or state agency finds that the federal authorization issued is adequate to meet the requirements of the chapter 116D and rules adopted under it and  any other requirement of the board's or state agency's authority regarding the release of genetically  engineered organisms.The board or state agency must grant or deny the exemption within 45 days after the receipt of the written request and the information required by the board or state agency.

    (d) This subdiviision does not apply to genetically engineered organisms for which an environmetna impact stateement is required under sectiosn 116C.91 to116C.96