HF3896

Purpose

• To protect uncultivated wild rice beds and designated swimming or bathing areas by restricting how watercraft can be operated near them.

Main Provisions

• Prohibits operating a watercraft within a water area that has been marked off or set aside as a swimming or bathing area, as prescribed by commissioners' rules.
• Prohibits operating a watercraft in or through an uncultivated wild rice bed unless:
  • The watercraft is propelled by hand (examples: a skiff or canoe), or
  • The watercraft is operated at greater than slow-wake speed within 150 feet of an uncultivated wild rice bed.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 86B.311, subdivision 4, to add explicit restrictions on watercraft near uncultivated wild rice beds and to tie these restrictions to areas designated as swimming or bathing areas.
• Establishes that near wild rice beds, watercraft use must be hand-propelled or move at a specific low speed (within 150 feet) unless operated by hand propulsion.

Implementation & Impact

• The rules for marking swimming or bathing areas are maintained, but enforcement and specifics rely on the commissioners’ rules.
• The change is designed to reduce disturbances to wild rice beds and protect a natural resource while still allowing certain low-impact or hand-propelled uses near beds.

Relevant Terms - watercraft - uncultivated wild rice bed - swimming or bathing area - hand-propelled (e.g., skiff, canoe) - slow-wake speed (no-wake / slow-no-wake concepts) - 150 feet - Minnesota Statutes 86B.311 Subd. 4