Section 137.52 Recreational Program Assessment

MINNESOTA STATUTES AND CODES

Section 137.52 Recreational Program Assessment

137.52 RECREATIONAL PROGRAM ASSESSMENT.

(a) The commissioner of natural resources, in cooperation with the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota, shall submit to the governor and the legislature by January 15, 2007, an assessment of the short-term and long-term programmatic plans for the development of the land identified in section 137.50, subdivision 6. The assessment shall include, but is not limited to, a timeline for providing the recreational opportunities, and the needed restoration including native species of local ecotype, measurable outcomes, and anticipated costs. The assessment must also include an evaluation of the opportunities to foster small-scale farm-to-market vegetable farming. The commissioner of natural resources shall consult with interested stakeholders, including Dakota County, to assist in the development of the plan.

(b) The board shall, until the issue is resolved, report annually to the legislature on or before February 1, on its efforts and the efforts of the Department of Defense to remedy contamination of the university land caused by activities occurring prior to the University of Minnesota acquiring the land.

(c) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the Pollution Control Agency, shall report to the legislature by January 7, 2007, on what entities are responsible for remediating pollution on the university land that occurred prior to May 25, 2006.

(d) The commissioner of natural resources, in cooperation with the board, shall submit to the governor and the legislature by January 7, 2007, a report regarding the implementation of section 137.51 and any recommendations for changes in section 137.51 necessary to carry out the intent of that section. The report must, among other things, specifically address the issue of whether a process or mechanism is necessary to resolve disputes between the University of Minnesota, the state, and other parties regarding uses of the university land.

(e) The commissioner of natural resources must communicate with interested parties, including the local government units that contain any part of the university land, regarding the intended activities of the department with respect to the university land.