§ 2223 - Creation of a forest resources advisory council - Vermont Statutes

§ 2223. Creation of a forest resources advisory council

(a) There is established within the executive branch the forest resources advisory council, which shall have 15 members. The commissioner of forests, parks and recreation, the commissioner of economic development, the commissioner of the department of public service, the secretary of agriculture, food and markets, the commissioner of fish and wildlife, and the dean of the school of natural resources of the University of Vermont shall be members, ex officio, although any of the commissioners may from time to time appoint a designee to serve and vote in the commissioner's place. Two members shall be legislators: one member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker, and one member of the senate appointed by the committee on committees. After considering the qualifications, expertise and areas of interest of the ex officio and legislative members, the governor shall appoint seven members at large, ensuring that the council represents a broad range of interests, expertise and perspective, including forestry, wildlife and environmental sciences, the wood-harvesting and wood-using industries, landowners, local government, recreation, conservation, ecology, finance and economics. Terms of the seven members appointed by the governor shall be three years; except that initial appointments by the governor shall be made so that three of the seven gubernatorial appointees are appointed for terms of one year, two are appointed for terms of two years, and two are appointed for terms of three years. The terms of the legislative appointees shall coincide with their two-year terms as legislators. The chair shall be appointed by the governor.

(b) The department of forests, parks and recreation shall provide administrative support to the council. In addition, the council may use the services and staff of any department to assist it in the performance of its duties with the approval of the head of the department.

(c) Members of the council, except those members serving ex officio or otherwise regularly employed by the state, shall be compensated for the performance of their duties, according to the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 1010. (Added 1977, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1983, No. 170 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. April 19, 1984; 1995, No. 53, § 2, eff. April 20, 1995; 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003.)