(1) The State Forester shall conduct surveys and evaluations on nonfederal forestlands to determine the presence, extent, trend and impact of native and exotic pests, as well as overall forest health monitoring. In so doing, the forester or representatives of the forester may go upon privately owned lands with permission of the respective owners thereof, and should any owner withhold such permission and the forester believes an emergency exists, the forester may petition that circuit court of this state having jurisdiction over the lands involved for a warrant authorizing the forester or representatives of the forester to go upon such lands. Upon petition being made the court shall forthwith summarily determine whether or not such emergency exists, and if determining such emergency exists, immediately issue a warrant authorizing the forester or representatives of the forester to go upon such lands for the purposes of this section.
(2) The State Forester may cooperate with the United States or agencies thereof, other agencies of the state, county or municipal governments, agencies of other states or other public or private organizations or individuals and may accept such funds, equipment, supplies or services from cooperators and others as it may deem appropriate for the purposes of subsections (1) and (4) of this section.
(3) The State Forester is authorized to enter into contracts for selected services or accept moneys from private and public sources for the purposes stated in subsections (1) and (4) of this section; provided, however, that such moneys shall be placed in the State Forestry Department Account and shall be continuously appropriated for such purposes.
(4) The State Forester shall also provide on-site technical advice regarding insect and disease management to nonfederal land owners who request such services. [1961 c.212 §1; 1991 c.686 §7]
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Last modified: August 7, 2008