Subdivision 1. Best methods. The commissioner shall ascertain and observe the best methods of reforesting cutover and denuded lands, foresting waste lands, minimizing loss or damage of forest resources by fire, forest pests, or shade tree pests, administering forests on forestry principles, encouraging private owners to preserve and grow trees or timber for commercial or other purposes, and conserving the forests around the head waters of streams and on the watersheds of the state.
Subd. 2. General duties. (a) The commissioner shall execute all rules pertaining to forestry and forest protection within the jurisdiction of the state; have charge of the work of protecting all forests and lands from fire, forest pests, and shade tree pests; shall investigate the origin of all forest fires; and prosecute all violators as provided by law; shall prepare and print for public distribution an abstract of the forest fire laws of Minnesota, together with such rules as may be formulated.
(b) The commissioner shall prepare printed notices calling attention to the dangers from forest fires and cause them to be posted in conspicuous places.
Subd. 3. Fire damage. Damage by fire occurring to state timber, reproduction or lands, when coming to the knowledge of the commissioner, shall be promptly reported to the attorney general, who may either enforce collection of such demands directly or may employ private attorneys therefor on such terms, not contingent, as the attorney general deems for the best interests of the state. The amount so collected, after deducting therefrom the fees of such attorneys, if any, and other necessary expenses incurred in investigation, preparation for trial, and trial, shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the fund that would have been entitled to receive the sale price of the lands, reproduction, or timber if sold; or, if there be no such fund, then such money shall be credited to the general fund. The attorney general, either in or out of court, may compromise and settle state claims for fire damage to state lands, reproduction, or timber, on such terms as the attorney general deems for the best interests of the state.
Subd. 4. Forest plans. The commissioner shall cooperate with the several departments of the state and federal governments and with counties, towns, municipalities, corporations, or individuals in the preparation of plans for forest protection and management and planting or replacement of trees in wood lots and community forests or on timber tracts, using such influence as time will permit toward the establishment of scientific forestry principles in the management, protection, and promotion of the forest resources of the state.
Subd. 5. Eliminating state forest land. When any tract or tracts of land that are included in areas set apart as state forests are found to be more valuable for agriculture than for forestry or other conservation purposes, or when any tract or tracts of land used as a forestry administrative site are found to be no longer needed for administrative purposes, the commissioner by written order may eliminate such lands from state forests whereupon such lands shall be subject to sale the same as other lands not reserved. When any tract or tracts of land that are included in areas set apart as state forests are found to be more valuable for the construction of industrial plants or for purposes including forestry essential to the establishment of or expansion of substantial commercial developments, the commissioner, by written order, with the unanimous approval of the Land Exchange Board may eliminate such lands from state forests whereupon such lands shall be subject to sale the same as other lands not reserved.
Subd. 5a. Sale of state forest land. Any state lands included in areas set apart as state forests are eliminated from the state forest upon sale under the provisions of sections 92.06 to 92.08 or 94.09 to 94.16.
Subd. 6. Designating state lands. When any state lands not reserved or set aside are found by the commissioner to be more valuable for the production of timber than for agriculture the commissioner may by written order designate such lands as state forest or adjust the boundaries of state forests subject to the approval of the state legislature at its next regular session.
Subd. 7. [Repealed, 2014 c 289 s 70]
(4031-5 - 4031-10) 1911 c 125 s 3-6; 1925 c 407 s 5-10; 1961 c 223 s 2; 1963 c 381 s 1; 1969 c 399 s 1; 1975 c 271 s 6; 1982 c 511 s 4; 1985 c 248 s 70; 1986 c 444; 1988 c 462 s 2; 1988 c 686 art 4 s 2; 2004 c 262 art 1 s 10; 2005 c 10 art 1 s 22; 2006 c 281 art 1 s 19; 2007 c 57 art 1 s 53-55
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 89 — State Forests; Tree Planting; Forest Roads
Section 89.01 — Commissioner; Powers And Duties.
Section 89.011 — Forest Planning Coordination.
Section 89.012 — Unit Forest Resource Plans.
Section 89.015 — Southern Minnesota Tree Species; Research.
Section 89.016 — Forest Campgrounds.
Section 89.018 — Heritage Forests.
Section 89.021 — State Forests.
Section 89.0211 — Sale Of State Forest Lands Adjacent To Platted Areas.
Section 89.022 — Disposal Of Tillable Land In Memorial Hardwood Forest.
Section 89.025 — Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest; Land Use Restricted.
Section 89.03 — Advancing Education.
Section 89.031 — Management And Control.
Section 89.032 — Acquiring Land.
Section 89.034 — Tax-forfeited Lands; Inclusion In State Forests.
Section 89.035 — Income From State Forest Lands; Disposition.
Section 89.0385 — Forest Management Investment Account; Cost Certification.
Section 89.039 — Forest Management Investment Account.
Section 89.05 — Accounting System.
Section 89.17 — Leases And Permits.
Section 89.18 — Roads Through State Forests.
Section 89.20 — Posted Land; Trespass.
Section 89.21 — Campgrounds; Establishment And Fees.
Section 89.22 — Uses Of State Forest Lands; Fees.
Section 89.26 — State Water Powers Withdrawn From Sale.
Section 89.27 — Land Suitable For Reforestation Withdrawn From Sale.
Section 89.28 — Pulpwood Investigation.
Section 89.35 — Tree Planting.
Section 89.36 — Producing And Procuring Planting Stock.
Section 89.37 — Distributing Planting Stock.
Section 89.38 — Prohibition; Penalties.
Section 89.39 — Purchase Agreements And Penalties.
Section 89.391 — Nursery Inspection Certificates; Limitations On Issuance.
Section 89.41 — School Forests.
Section 89.42 — Sale Of Forest Products.
Section 89.421 — Forest Resource Assessment Products And Services Account.
Section 89.43 — Tree Seeds And Cones; Payments From Appropriations.
Section 89.52 — Surveys And Investigations.
Section 89.53 — Control Of Forest Pests And Shade Tree Pests.
Section 89.54 — Zones Of Infestation; Establishment.
Section 89.55 — Infestation Control; Costs.
Section 89.551 — Approved Firewood Required.
Section 89.57 — Dissolution Of Infestation Zone.
Section 89.58 — Forest Pest And Shade Tree Pest Control Account.
Section 89.60 — Commissioner's Authority.
Section 89.61 — Act Supplemental.
Section 89.62 — Shade Tree Pest Control; Grant Program.
Section 89.63 — Certification Of Tree Inspectors.
Section 89.65 — Forestry Education.
Section 89.66 — Forestry Research And Extension.
Section 89.70 — State Forest Road Account.
Section 89.715 — Alternative Recording For State Forest Road.