§ 2224 - Council; powers and duties - Vermont Statutes

§ 2224. Council; powers and duties

The council is authorized to study, analyze, and review the total forest resources, its conservation, and its potential for wise development and utilization. The council is directed to advise the governor, the legislature, and the appropriate executive departments on policy, plans, and programs in which Vermont's forest resources would have a direct or indirect place. The council shall, as appropriate, develop and publish specific reports and recommendations on its own authority or through a supporting executive department. In exercising the powers authorized herein, the council may:

(1) support a detailed and continuous inventory of the state's forest resource to determine the availability and sustainability of wood for present and future industry expansion;

(2) identify those obstacles which impede forest product expansion and make recommendations for the removal of those impediments;

(3) assist individuals and organizations in developing ways which will increase the wise use of Vermont forest lands and maximize benefits to be derived from forest resources;

(4) make recommendations to the department of forests, parks and recreation, the school of natural resources and the agricultural experiment station at University of Vermont on areas where research and management might prove most beneficial to forestry in Vermont;

(5) identify and develop new markets for forest products and assist in the development of new products which might play a significant part in the expansion of forestry and forest products in Vermont; and assist in the promotion of research on forest products, as well as on markets for wood which is currently unmerchantable;

(6) develop benchmarks for achieving sustainability for forest land in Vermont, including:

(A) maintenance of soil productivity;

(B) conservation of water quality, wetlands, and riparian zones;

(C) maintenance or creation of a healthy balance of forest age classes;

(D) perpetuation of supply of timber, pulpwood, and other forest products;

(E) improvement of the overall quality of the timber resource as a foundation for more value-added opportunities;

(F) improvement of scenic quality by limiting adverse impacts of forest harvesting, particularly in high elevation areas and vistas;

(G) conservation and enhancement of habitats that support a full range of native flora and fauna;

(H) protection of unique or fragile areas;

(I) encouragement of opportunities for compatible recreation;

(7) submit an annual report of its activities on or before January 15th to the chairs of the house and senate committees on natural resources and energy;

(8) oversee and direct statewide assessments cited in section 2225 of this title;

(9) advise the agency of natural resources on the policies and priorities for acquisition and other means of permanently protecting natural resources. (Added 1977, No. 234 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1995, No. 53, § 3, eff. April 20, 1995.)