CHAPTER 803

FOREST HEALTH AND MONITORING

Sec. 25. 12 MRSA §8101, as amended by PL 1987, c. 183, §1, is further amended to read:

§8101. Forest Health and Monitoring program

1. Powers and duties. The Director of the Bureau of Forestry shall maintain sufficient resources, both personnel and technical information, within the limit of funds available, so as in order to:

A. Maintain a statewide surveillance system to detect and monitor insects, diseases and abiotic agents, including air pollution and acid deposition potentially injurious to the forest resources of the State;

B. Provide information and technical advice and assistance to individuals and other state and federal agencies on the identification and control of forest insects and diseases;

C. Conduct and supervise control programs for forest diseases and insects where authorized;

D. Assist in the enforcement of federal and state quarantine laws relating to forest insects and diseases;

E. Conduct applied research related to the management of insects, diseases and abiotic agents potentially injurious to the forest resources of the State, including forest management strategies, insecticide and spray application technologies, integrated pest management techniques and other issues pertinent to the purposes of this chapter. The director shall maintain up-to-date information on the injurious impacts of insects, diseases and abiotic agents, including air pollution and acid deposition on the forests of the State; and

F. Consult and cooperate with other agencies of the United States, other state governments, the federal and provincial governments of Canada and public and private landowners in the State on applied research, survey and management of forest pest problems.