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After heated debate Senate committee adopts softened wild‑rice recognition and removes some watercraft limits
Summary
The committee adopted an amended version of a wild‑rice policy provision (A7) recognizing the significance of uncultivated wild rice and removing some proposed watercraft speed/propulsion restrictions; advocates and tribal leaders pressed for stronger language while some senators expressed concern about permitting and economic impacts.
The Minnesota Senate Environment and Climate Legacy Committee on April 10 adopted an amended wild‑rice policy amendment (A7) to the omnibus bill, saying the state should “recognize the innate significance of uncultivated wild rice’s ability to exist and thrive in Minnesota.”
The provision originally included explicit limits on operating motorized watercraft through or near uncultivated wild‑rice beds (language that would have prohibited passage except when propelled by hand and created a 50‑foot slow‑no‑wake buffer). That watercraft language was deleted from the amendment before the committee adopted A7 in its amended form.
Senators and witnesses debated for more than an hour on the measure. Supporters — including the amendment’s author and tribal…
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