This bill aims to enhance the protection of wild rice waters in Minnesota by modifying pesticide regulations, implementing new enforcement policies, and establishing requirements for permits that may impact wild rice habitats. Key provisions include:

• Recognition of Wild Rice: The bill reinforces wild rice (Zizania aquatica or Zizania palustris) as Minnesota's official state grain.
• Pesticide Regulations:
  
  • Expands pesticide impact assessments to consider wild rice waters.
    
  • Requires best management practices and coordination with Minnesota Tribal governments to protect wild rice.
    
  • Mandates the development of a pesticide management plan that includes strategies for preventing pesticide contamination in wild rice waters.
    
• Permit Restrictions Near Wild Rice Waters:
  
  • Prohibits state agencies from issuing permits that impact wild rice waters without preparing a wild rice risk justification, which quantifies potential risks and justifies project benefits.
    
  • Requires public comment opportunities and notification to Tribal governments when wild rice risk justifications are created.
    
• Watercraft Restrictions: Prohibits operating watercraft in a manner that threatens uncultivated wild rice beds, except for non-motorized methods like skiffs or canoes.
  
• Wild Rice Waters Mapping:
  
  • Requires the Commissioner of Natural Resources to maintain and publicly display maps identifying wild rice waters.
    
  • Allocates funding for mapping efforts in fiscal year 2026.
    
• Education & Enforcement:
  
  • Expands pesticide education and training to include wild rice protection.
    
  • Grants enforcement powers to the commissioner to address pesticide violations that harm wild rice waters.
    

This legislation aims to strengthen environmental protections for wild rice, recognizing its ecological, cultural, and economic significance, particularly for Minnesota’s Indigenous communities.