Bill Text: MI SB0602 | 2009-2010 | 95th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Natural resources; forests; right to forest act; transfer jurisdiction to the department of agriculture. Amends sec. 3 of 2002 PA 676 (MCL 320.2033). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0603'09

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-21 - Referred To Committee On Agriculture And Bioeconomy [SB0602 Detail]

Download: Michigan-2009-SB0602-Introduced.html

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SENATE BILL No. 602

 

 

May 21, 2009, Introduced by Senators KUIPERS, CROPSEY, JELINEK, GILBERT, VAN WOERKOM, JANSEN and PAPPAGEORGE and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Bioeconomy.

 

 

 

     A bill to amend 2002 PA 676, entitled

 

"Right to forest act,"

 

by amending section 3 (MCL 320.2033).

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 3. As used in this act:

 

     (a) "Commission" means the commission of natural resources

 

agriculture.

 

     (b) "Department" means the department of natural resources

 

agriculture.

 

     (c) "Forest" means a tract of land that is at least 10%

 

stocked by trees of any size, whether of commercial or

 

noncommercial species, or formerly having tree cover and not

 

currently developed for nonforest use, including woodlands,

 

woodlots, windbreaks, and shelter belts.

 

     (d) "Forestry operations" means activities related to the

 

harvesting, reforestation, and other management activities,

 

including, but not limited to, thinning, pest control,

 

fertilization, and wildlife management, that are consistent with

 

principles of sustainable forestry.

 

     (e) "Generally accepted forestry management practices" means

 

those forest management practices as prescribed by the commission.

 

In prescribing generally accepted forestry management practices,

 

the commission shall give due consideration to available department

 

information, written recommendations, and comments from the

 

department and other interested persons that may include, but are

 

not limited to, all of the following:

 

     (i) The department of agriculture natural resources.

 

     (ii) The Michigan state university extension.

 

     (iii) The United States department of agriculture agencies,

 

services, and programs.

 

     (iv) College and university forestry programs.

 

     (v) Professional, industry, and conservation organizations.

 

     (f) "Landowner" means the possessor of a fee interest in land

 

or a tenant, lessee, occupant, or other person in lawful control of

 

land.

 

     (g) "Sustainable forestry" means forestry practices that are

 

designed to meet present and future wood product needs by employing

 

a land stewardship ethic that integrates the reforestation,

 

managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful

 

products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality,

 

wildlife and fish habitat, and visual changes.

 

     (h) "Timber" means live or dead trees, including, but not

 

limited to, bark, foliage, wood, and firewood.

 

     Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect

 

unless Senate Bill No. 603                                    

 

          of the 95th Legislature is enacted into law.