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