Last night the Minnesota house environmental committee agreed that the state should get into the timber business. It included language in the finance bill that would require the state to harvest Black Walnut trees at Frontenac and Whitewater State Parks. Herre's the language in House File 1010.

Sec. 21. HARVEST OF TIMBER; STATE PARKS.
42.31Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.05, subdivision 2, or any other
42.32law to the contrary, the commissioner of natural resources shall assess the black walnut
42.33and other timber resources in Frontenac State Park and Whitewater State Park, harvest the
43.1black walnut and timber resources suitable for harvest, and deposit the proceeds from the
43.2sale into the state parks account in the natural resources fund by June 30, 2013.