SF1245

Purpose

This bill aims to tighten and standardize how offhighway vehicles (OHVs) and snowmobiles are used on state lands, with a focus on protecting land, water quality, aquatic life, and wildlife. It would require environmental review for new or expanded OHV trails, set statewide management intentions, and create a process to decommission trails that cause significant environmental effects.

Main Provisions

• Designated-trail framework and use restrictions

  • OHVs and snowmobiles would be restricted to roads and trails specifically designated and posted for OHV use on state lands and county forest land within state forests.
  • County or township boards could modify restrictions on county- or township-administered land within a state forest by resolution.
  • Any OHV trail or route on state forest roads/trails, township roads/trails, county roads/trails, or other state roads/trails must avoid:
  • Tribal Lands or Ceded Territory unless approved by the applicable Tribal government.
  • Lands designated as outstanding resource value waters or exceptional habitat waters.
  • Lands designated as containing prohibited or restricted noxious weeds.
  • Being within 200 feet of a public water that supports aquatic life, or within 150 feet of a public water that does not support aquatic life.
  • There are exceptions to these restrictions for specific roads/trails authorized before the rule takes effect or through other specified circumstances.

• Environmental review and trail planning

  • Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) requirements would apply to constructing or expanding OHV trails.

• Seasonal and mapping requirements

  • Except for designated forest roads, OHV use on state forest lands would be restricted during the rifle deer hunting season in areas where deer may be hunted by rifle.
  • The commissioner can designate and post winter OHV trails on state forest lands.
  • After official OHV maps are completed, OHV use on unmapped state land would generally be prohibited for the relevant vehicle type (with some exceptions for certain forest areas north of Highway 2).

• Rulemaking and administrative actions

  • The commissioner’s determinations can be issued as written orders published in the State Register and would be exempt from standard rulemaking.

• Decommissioning of trails

  • The commissioner must consider decommissioning a road or trail designated for OHV use if there is material evidence of significant environmental effects, provided it is supported by petitions from residents/property owners or local government at specified thresholds.
  • Petition thresholds:
  • At least 50 signatures from residents/owners in the county where the road/trail is located.
  • At least 100 signatures from residents/owners in the county or a neighboring county.
  • At least 150 signatures from residents/owners statewide.
  • A petition from a local unit of government through which the road/trail passes.
  • The commissioner must review the petition within 90 days and issue a final order; extensions up to 90 days are allowed with notice, and further extensions require agreement from the local government or a majority of petitioners.

• Legislative findings and statewide scope

  • The Legislature finds OHV use should be managed similarly across the state and that regulations in place south of U.S. Highway 2 should be implemented statewide.

• Funding and statutory changes

  • The bill contemplates appropriation of funds to support these activities and would amend Minnesota Statutes, including changes related to OHV regulations and related administrative provisions.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Expands and tightens restrictions on OHV use on state lands and within state forests, prioritizing designated trails and posted routes.
• Introduces explicit protections for Tribal Lands and Ceded Territory, and for waters and lands designated for resource value or habitat protections.
• Establishes a formal decommissioning process for OHV trails with defined petition-based triggers and timelines.
• Adds environmental review requirements (EAW) for new or expanded OHV trails.
• Adds seasonal restrictions tied to deer hunting seasons and authorizes winter trail designations.
• Creates a rulemaking exemption pathway for certain commissioner decisions (State Register orders).
• Sets mapping-based operation rules for OHVs, with geographic and historical exceptions.
• Signals statewide OHV management goals and directs broader implementation of regulations.

How This Would Affect People and Places

• OHV users would need to stick to designated and posted trails on state lands and within state forests; many existing routes could be restricted or removed if they cross protected areas or aren’t designated.
• Local governments and tribes would have a say in whether trails cross ceded or tribal lands, potentially limiting some routes.
• Areas near waters and weed-infested lands would gain stronger protections, potentially reducing OHV access in those zones.
• A formal process would exist to petition for removing trails, providing a pathway to decommission trails deemed to cause environmental harm.
• Environmental review would become a more routine part of creating new OHV trails.

Implementation and Oversight

• Authority rests with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and state officials, with coordination involving counties, townships, and tribal governments.
• Designated trails must be posted; counties can adjust restrictions on land they control within state forests by resolution.
• Official maps and forest road designations influence where OHVs can operate, with ongoing implications for trail planning and maintenance.

Relevant Terms

• offhighway vehicles (OHVs)
• snowmobiles
• state land / state forest
• designated trails / posted routes
• decommissioning
• Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
• Tribal Lands
• Ceded Territory
• outstanding resource value waters
• exceptional habitat waters
• noxious weeds (prohibited/restricted)
• public water (aquatic life and non-aquatic life)
• seasonal restrictions (rifle deer hunting season)
• winter trails
• mapped trails / forest maps
• forest access routes
• rulemaking exemption / State Register
• petition thresholds (50, 100, 150 signatures)
• local unit of government
• Minnesota Rules chapter 7050
• U.S. Highway 2 reference (statewide applicability)
• appropriation / funding
• amendments to Minnesota Statutes 84.777
• deauthorization / de facto prohibition of OHV use on non-designated routes

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