Subdivision 1. Exception by permit. Notwithstanding sections 84.773, subdivision 1, and 84.777, on a case-by-case basis, the commissioner may issue a permit authorizing a person to operate an off-highway vehicle on individual public trails under the commissioner's jurisdiction during specified times and for specified purposes.
Subd. 2. All-terrain vehicles; managed or limited forests; off trail. Notwithstanding section 84.777, but subject to the commissioner's authority under subdivision 5, on state forest lands classified as managed or limited, other than the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest, a person may use an all-terrain vehicle off forest trails or forest roads when:
(1) hunting big game or transporting or installing hunting stands during October, November, and December, when in possession of a valid big-game-hunting license;
(2) retrieving big game in September, when in possession of a valid big-game-hunting license;
(3) tending traps during an open trapping season for protected furbearers, when in possession of a valid trapping license; or
(4) trapping minnows, when in possession of a valid minnow dealer, private fish hatchery, or aquatic farm license.
Subd. 3. All-terrain vehicles; closed forests; hunting. Notwithstanding section 84.777, the commissioner may determine whether all-terrain vehicles are allowed on specific forest roads, on state forest lands classified as closed, for the purpose of hunting big game during an open big-game season. The determination shall be by written order as published in the State Register and is exempt from chapter 14. Section 14.386 does not apply.
Subd. 4. Off-road and all-terrain vehicles; limited or managed forests; trails. Notwithstanding section 84.777, but subject to the commissioner's authority under subdivision 5, on state forest lands classified as limited or managed, other than the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest, a person may use vehicles registered under chapter 168 or section 84.798 or 84.922, including class 2 all-terrain vehicles, on forest trails designated for off-road vehicle use and on forest trails that are not designated for a specific use when:
(1) hunting big game or transporting or installing hunting stands during October, November, and December, when in possession of a valid big-game-hunting license;
(2) retrieving big game in September, when in possession of a valid big-game-hunting license;
(3) tending traps during an open trapping season for protected furbearers, when in possession of a valid trapping license; or
(4) trapping minnows, when in possession of a valid minnow dealer, private fish hatchery, or aquatic farm license.
Subd. 5. Limitations on off-trail and undesignated trail use. The commissioner may designate areas on state forest lands that are not subject to the exceptions provided in subdivisions 2 and 4. Such designations are not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14 and section 14.386 does not apply. Before designating such areas, the commissioner shall hold a public meeting in the county where the largest portion of the forest lands are located to provide information to and receive comment from the public regarding the proposed designation. Sixty days before the public meeting, notice of the proposed designation shall be published in the legal newspapers that serve the counties in which the lands are located, in a statewide Department of Natural Resources news release, and in the State Register.
Subd. 6. Operation; class 2 vehicles. Except as provided in subdivision 4, operation of class 2 all-terrain vehicles on lands administered by the commissioner is limited to forest roads, minimum maintenance roads, and trails designated or signed for class 2 all-terrain vehicles.
Subd. 7. Snowmobiles; closed forests; off trail. Forests classified as closed forests are open to off-trail snowmobile use unless prohibited, as determined by the commissioner by written order published in the State Register. The determination is not subject to the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14, and section 14.386 does not apply.
1984 c 647 s 5; 1986 c 444; 2003 c 128 art 1 s 31; 1Sp2005 c 1 art 2 s 45; 2006 c 281 art 2 s 6; 2007 c 131 art 1 s 11,12; 2014 c 289 s 14
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 83A - 84 — Natural Resources
Chapter 84 — Department Of Natural Resources
Section 84.01 — Department Of Natural Resources; Commissioner Appointment.
Section 84.025 — Contracts For Professional And Maintenance Services.
Section 84.026 — Contracts And Grants For Providing Natural Resources Services.
Section 84.0261 — Disposition Of Reimbursement From Natural Disasters.
Section 84.0262 — Rural Credit Records.
Section 84.0263 — Issuing Quitclaim Deeds.
Section 84.0264 — Federal Land And Water Conservation Funds.
Section 84.027 — Powers And Duties.
Section 84.0272 — Procedure In Acquiring Lands.
Section 84.0273 — Establishing Boundary Lines Relating To Certain State Landholdings.
Section 84.0274 — Landowners' Bill Of Rights.
Section 84.0276 — Land Transfers By A Federal Agency.
Section 84.0277 — Camp Ripley Buffer Easements.
Section 84.028 — Commissioner Of Natural Resources; Specific Assignments.
Section 84.0285 — Game And Fish Citation Quotas Prohibited.
Section 84.0286 — Conservation Officer Patrol Vehicle; Security Barrier; Exemption.
Section 84.029 — Recreational Areas On Public Land.
Section 84.03 — Additional Duties And Powers.
Section 84.033 — Scientific And Natural Areas.
Section 84.034 — Maintaining Cemetery; Whitewater Wildlife Management Area.
Section 84.035 — Peatland Protection.
Section 84.036 — Peatland Scientific And Natural Areas; Designation.
Section 84.081 — Department Divisions And Bureaus.
Section 84.083 — Assignment And Delegation Of Duties.
Section 84.0835 — Designation Of Employees For Limited Natural Resources Law Enforcement.
Section 84.084 — Transfer Of Funds.
Section 84.0845 — Advance Of Matching Funds.
Section 84.0846 — Natural Resource Seminars And Conferences.
Section 84.085 — Acceptance Of Gifts.
Section 84.0854 — Gift Card And Certificate Sales; Receipts; Transfers; Appropriation.
Section 84.0855 — Sales; Receipts; Appropriation.
Section 84.0856 — Fleet Management Account.
Section 84.0857 — Facilities Management Account.
Section 84.086 — Seals, Uniforms, And Badges.
Section 84.087 — Keeping Records And Orders.
Section 84.0872 — Specific Location Data.
Section 84.0873 — Data On Individuals Who Are Minors.
Section 84.0874 — Electronic Licensing System Data.
Section 84.0875 — Environmental Learning Centers.
Section 84.089 — Volunteers In Natural Resources Program.
Section 84.0894 — Enforcement Of Aquatic Plants And Endangered Species.
Section 84.0895 — Protection Of Threatened And Endangered Species.
Section 84.0896 — Trade In Prohibited Animal Parts Prohibited.
Section 84.091 — Aquatic Vegetation In Public Waters.
Section 84.0911 — Wild Rice Management Account.
Section 84.093 — Wild Ginseng.
Section 84.10 — Wild Rice Harvested In Certain Lakes.
Section 84.105 — Wild Rice Season.
Section 84.111 — Natural Wild Rice Harvesting.
Section 84.15 — Commissioner's Authority; Rice Harvesting.
Section 84.1525 — Stromatolites.
Section 84.153 — Property; Leasing, Renting.
Section 84.154 — Lac Qui Parle Water Control Project.
Section 84.155 — Conservation Projects; Beltrami Island, Pine Island.
Section 84.156 — Interest In Certain Lands Transferred To United States.
Section 84.161 — Land Acquisition For Certain Purposes.
Section 84.162 — Powers Of Commissioner; Flowage Rights.
Section 84.362 — Removal Of Structures.
Section 84.363 — Sale Of Dead And Down Timber.
Section 84.415 — Utility Licenses; Permits.
Section 84.42 — Violations; Penalties.
Section 84.523 — Bwca; Managing Minerals And Related Resources.
Section 84.525 — Maintaining Campsites In Bwca.
Section 84.625 — Conveying Conservation Easements.
Section 84.63 — Conveying Interests In Lands To State, Federal, And Tribal Governments.
Section 84.631 — Road Easements Across State Lands.
Section 84.632 — Conveyance Of Unneeded State Easements.
Section 84.633 — Exchanging Road Easements.
Section 84.64 — Conservation Restrictions.
Section 84.66 — Minnesota Forests For The Future Program.
Section 84.67 — Forests For The Future Revolving Account.
Section 84.69 — Natural Resources Conservation Easement Stewardship Account.
Section 84.76 — Apprentice Riders.
Section 84.765 — Operating Off-road Recreational Vehicles While Impaired.
Section 84.771 — Off-highway Vehicle Definition.
Section 84.773 — Restrictions On Operation.
Section 84.774 — Off-highway Vehicle Criminal Penalties.
Section 84.7741 — Off-highway Vehicle Forfeiture.
Section 84.775 — Off-highway Vehicle Civil Citations.
Section 84.777 — Off-highway Vehicles And Snowmobiles; Use Of State Lands Restricted.
Section 84.780 — Off-highway Vehicle Damage Account.
Section 84.781 — Use Of Department Resources.
Section 84.788 — Registration.
Section 84.789 — Requirements Of Makers Of Off-highway Motorcycles; Sound Emissions.
Section 84.79 — Rulemaking; Accident Report.
Section 84.791 — Education And Training.
Section 84.793 — Youthful Operators; Prohibitions.
Section 84.794 — Off-highway Motorcycle Account; Receipts And Allocations.
Section 84.7945 — Nonresidents; State Trail Pass For Off-highway Motorcycles.
Section 84.795 — Operation Requirements; Local Regulation.
Section 84.798 — Registration.
Section 84.799 — Vehicle Identification Number.
Section 84.80 — Rulemaking; Accident Report.
Section 84.8015 — Education And Training.
Section 84.802 — Youthful Operators; Prohibitions.
Section 84.803 — Off-road Vehicle Account; Receipts And Allocations.
Section 84.8031 — Grant-in-aid Applications; Review Period.
Section 84.8035 — Off-road Vehicle State Trail Pass.
Section 84.804 — Operation Requirements; Local Regulation.
Section 84.8045 — Restrictions On Off-road Vehicle Trails.
Section 84.82 — Exemptions; Collector Snowmobiles; Unlimited Use.
Section 84.8205 — Snowmobile State Trail Sticker.
Section 84.821 — Requirements Of Snowmobile Makers.
Section 84.83 — Snowmobile Trails And Enforcement Account; Receipts And Allocations.
Section 84.84 — Transfer Or Termination Of Snowmobile Ownership.
Section 84.85 — Licensing By Political Subdivisions.
Section 84.862 — Snowmobile Training Required.
Section 84.87 — Operation; Regulations By Political Subdivisions.
Section 84.871 — Equipment Requirements.
Section 84.8712 — Metal Traction Devices; Prohibition On Paved Trails.
Section 84.872 — Youthful Snowmobile Operators; Prohibitions.
Section 84.89 — Confiscating Snowmobile Used In Burglary.
Section 84.90 — Operating Limitations; Recreational Motor Vehicles.
Section 84.9011 — Off-highway Vehicle Safety And Conservation Program.
Section 84.911 — Reports Of Death.
Section 84.915 — Land Use For Certain Vehicles Restricted.
Section 84.922 — Registration.
Section 84.923 — Requirements Of Makers Of All-terrain Vehicles.
Section 84.924 — Rulemaking; Accident Report.
Section 84.925 — Education And Training Program.
Section 84.9256 — Youthful Operators; Prohibitions.
Section 84.926 — Vehicle Use On Public Lands; Exceptions.
Section 84.927 — All-terrain Vehicle Account; Receipts And Allocations.
Section 84.9275 — Nonresidents; State Trail Pass For All-terrain Vehicles.
Section 84.928 — Operation Requirements; Local Regulation.
Section 84.930 — Motorized Trail Grants-in-aid.
Section 84.94 — Aggregate Planning And Protection.
Section 84.942 — Fish And Wildlife Management Plans.
Section 84.943 — Minnesota Critical Habitat Private Sector Matching Account.
Section 84.944 — Acquiring Critical Natural Habitat.
Section 84.946 — Natural Resources Asset Preservation And Replacement (nrapr).
Section 84.95 — Reinvest In Minnesota Resources Fund.
Section 84.96 — Native Prairie Bank.
Section 84.961 — Prairie Land Management.
Section 84.963 — Prairie Plant Seed Production Areas; Prairie Establishment Guidance.
Section 84.97 — Controlled Burning.
Section 84.972 — Prairie And Grasslands Public Grazing Program.
Section 84.973 — Pollinator Habitat Program.
Section 84.975 — Shoreland Management Grants.
Section 84.976 — No Child Left Inside; Grant Program.
Section 84.9765 — Outdoor Engagement Grant Account.