Purpose

To prevent the sale of state-owned land located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and to clarify how such land may or may not be transferred, while moving relevant provisions into Minnesota Statutes Chapter 92.

Main Provisions

• The commissioner of natural resources is prohibited from selling any state-owned land wholly or partially located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
• The bill defines “state-owned land” to include:
  • Lands where the school trust interest was extinguished through condemnation.
  • university lands granted to the state by Acts of Congress.
  • all other lands acquired by the state and under the commissioner’s control.
• The prohibition does not bar an otherwise valid land exchange of land located in BWCAW for other land.
• The bill would codify this prohibition into Minnesota Statutes Chapter 92 and repeal the 2024 section 92.82.1.5.

Changes to Existing Law

• Moves the BWCAW land sale restriction into Chapter 92 (Minnesota Statutes) for clearer, lasting application.
• Repeals the 2024 statute section 92.82.1.5 (the exact former provision being removed or superseded by the new codification).

Definitions and Key Terms

• Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW): The protected wilderness area targeted by the land sale prohibition.
• State-owned land: Lands under state control where the school trust interest is extinguished by condemnation, university lands granted by Congress, and other lands acquired by the state.
• Commissioner of Natural Resources: The state official responsible for enforcing the land sale prohibition.
• Sale of land: Transfer of ownership of state-owned land to another party.
• Land exchange: A transfer that swaps one piece of land for another, allowed only if otherwise valid under the bill.

Implementation and Scope

• Applies specifically to land wholly or partially within BWCAW.
• Keeps the option for land exchanges intact if they are otherwise valid, meaning not all transfers are banned—only sales are prohibited.
• Establishes a statutory framework to govern future actions by the DNR related to BWCAW land.

Relevant Terms - BWCAW - Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - state-owned land - sale - exchange - condemnation - school trust - university lands - Acts of Congress - Minnesota Statutes Chapter 92 - 92.82.1.5