This bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 103G.2241, subdivision 1, to exempt certain agricultural lands from wetland replacement plan requirements. The amendments clarify that a replacement plan is not required for impacts to wetlands on agricultural land designated as prior-converted cropland, as well as for activities related to drainage maintenance authorized by the USDA. Additionally, the bill specifies that normal farming practices, approved soil and water conservation practices, and certain aquaculture and wild rice production activities are also exempt from these requirements.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new provisions that exempt impacts to agricultural land located in specific counties—Clay, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Norman, Roseau, Stearns, or St. Louis—if the land has been planted with annually seeded crops for eight out of the last ten years before the impact or has been involved in crop rotation with pasture grass, cover crops, or legumes, or has been fallow for crop production purposes during the same timeframe. This addition aims to provide further clarity and support for agricultural practices while maintaining environmental considerations.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 103G.2241