2005 Minnesota Statutes - 84.961 — Prairie land management.

     84.961 Prairie land management. 


    Subdivision 1.    Native prairie values.  The 
 commissioner of natural resources must recognize the value of 
 native prairie land by taking into consideration the wildlife, 
 scientific, erosion control, educational, and recreational 
 benefits of native prairie. 


    Subd. 2.    Planning.  The commissioner must plan for 
 management, development, and restoration of: 


    (1) prairie land under the commissioner's jurisdiction; and 


    (2) prairie landscape reserves, comprised of an integrated 
 network of protected prairie lands, prairie restoration sites, 
 and private prairie lands.  


    Subd. 3.    Prairie landscape reserves.  The 
 commissioner must develop and manage permanent prairie landscape 
 reserves to maintain the native plant and animal populations, 
 landscape features, and habitat types that are characteristic of 
 intact native prairie ecosystems.  Management practices may 
 include haying and grazing. 


    Subd. 4.    Prairie biologist.  The position of prairie 
 biologist is established in the Department of Natural Resources 
 to plan, develop, and manage native prairie reserves and prairie 
 land under this section.  The prairie biologist shall be located 
 within the central part of the prairie region and be under the 
 supervision of the scientific and natural areas program.  


    HIST: 1987 c 404 s 98