(1) There is created within the Department of Higher Education the Institute for Natural Resources. The Institute for Natural Resources shall be administered by Oregon State University.
(2) The Institute for Natural Resources shall serve the following purposes:
(a) Serve as a clearinghouse for scientifically based natural resources information.
(b) Provide scientifically based natural resources information to the public in integrated and accessible formats.
(c) Coordinate efforts with other state agencies and bodies to provide natural resources information to the public in a comprehensive manner.
(d) Facilitate and conduct research.
(e) Provide information and technical tools to assist decision-making on natural resources issues.
(f) Assist the State Land Board in carrying out the Natural Heritage Program by maintaining a data bank containing a classification of natural heritage elements and an inventory of the locations of the elements. All data obtained through personal observation on private land by employees of Oregon State University working in the Natural Heritage Program may be entered into the data bank only with the written permission of the landowner.
(3) Using existing resources, state agencies designated by the Governor shall enter into a memorandum of understanding, or other agreement deemed appropriate by the Governor, with the institute that defines and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the agencies in order to prevent duplication of effort and to ensure that agency resources are used efficiently.
(4) State agencies may contract with the institute to fulfill agency needs regarding the collection, storage, integration, analysis, dissemination and monitoring of natural resources information and natural resources research and training. [2001 c.918 §12; 2003 c.661 §3]
Note: 352.239 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 352 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.
Section: Previous 352.210 352.211 352.215 352.220 352.221 352.223 352.230 352.239 352.240 352.245 352.247 352.250 352.260 352.270 352.275 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008