07/09/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2007 Outdoor Recreation Off - Highway Vehicles The Legislature provided $2.4 mil- lion for OHV trails, enforcement and education. • The DNR Commissioner is directed to set up a program to promote safe and responsible operation of OHVs, including entering into agreements with OHV organizations for volun- teer services that promote safe and responsible OHV use. • The DNR Commissioner is di- rected to set up an OHV Safety Advisory Council to advise on OHV safety as well as standards and certification for organiza- tions and individuals participat- ing as volunteers. • The DNR is prohibited from allowing DNR - administered land in Cass, Crow Wing, and Hubbard counties to be used or developed for off -road vehicle trails. • The DNR Commissioner is to set seasons for off - highway vehicle use on state forest lands. Individuals are prohib- ited from operating an OHV on state forest lands outside of the prescribed season except on des- ignated forest roads, and must operate only on mapped trails after OHV maps are completed for the area. • An exemption is given to man- aged forests north of Highway 2 until June 30, 2009. • The above prohibition does not apply to a forest access route in a managed forest north of High- way 2 that the commissioner has not designated as a road or trail. • Forest access routes will not be signed or maintained and will not be included on published user maps of the forest. • OHV operation on forest access routes is subject to the prohibi- tions on causing erosion, rutting, damage to trees or crops, and construction of unauthorized trails contained in Minnesota Rules. Damaged routes are subject to closure to off - highway use. • The three -year fee for all- terrain vehicle licensing is increased by $15, from $30 to $45. Trails A $2.4 million funding increase is provided for snowmobile trails, and $1.5 million is authorized for addi- tional investments in non - motorized trails. Invasive Species Management $3.2 million is provided for efforts to prevent the spread of invasive species. A $2 increase in the non- resident fishing license contributes revenue for this purpose. Venison Donation Program Individuals are authorized to add a donation of $1, $3 or $5 to the fees for annual firearms and archery deer licenses for the purpose of contrib- uting to a venison donation pro- gram. Beginning March 1, 2008, fees for bonus licenses (firearm or archery) will be assessed a sur- Information on Hunting and Fishing DNR Information Center 651- 296 -6157 or 888 - MINNDNR Turn In Poachers (TIP) Statewide toll -free: 1- 800 - 652 -9093 To report non -time sensitive tips online: www.dnr.state.mn.usien- forcement/tipreporting/html charge of $1 for this program. A $5 increase in the nonresident hunting license also contributes revenue to the program. Military Service Members/ DNR Licenses Residents who have served during the preceding 24 months as a mem- ber of the National Guard, or as a reserve component or active -duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces and has been discharged from active service, are eligible to take small game and fish without a license, provided the resident possesses official military discharge papers. Also, the DNR Commissioner is di- rected to issue a free deer license to any resident who has served during the previous 24 months in federal active service, outside the U.S. in the National Guard, or as a reserve component or active duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces, provided the resident has been discharged from active service. State Senator Sandy Rummel 323 State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155 - (651) 296 -1253 sen.sandy.rummel @senate.mn