§ 2601. Policy and purposes
(a) The conservation of the forests, timberlands, woodlands, and soil and recreational
resources of the State are hereby declared to be in the public interest. It is the
policy of the State to encourage economic management of its forests and woodlands,
to sustain long-term forest health, integrity, and productivity, to maintain, conserve,
and improve its soil resources, and to control forest pests to the end that forest
benefits, including maple sugar production, are preserved for its people, floods and
soil erosion are alleviated, hazards of forest fires are lessened, its natural beauty
is preserved, its wildlife is protected, the development of its recreational interests
is encouraged, the fertility and productivity of its soil are maintained, the impairment
of its dams and reservoirs is prevented, its tax base is protected, and the health,
safety, and general welfare of its people are sustained and promoted.
(b) The Department shall implement the policies of this chapter by assisting forestland
owners and lumber operators in the cutting and marketing of forest growth, encouraging
cooperation between forest owners, lumber operators, and the State of Vermont in the
practice of conservation and management of forestlands, managing, promoting, and protecting
the multiple use of publicly owned forestlands and park lands; planning, constructing,
developing, operating, and maintaining the system of State parks; determining the
necessity of repairs and replacements to all Department-owned buildings and causing
urgent repairs and replacements to be accomplished, with the approval of the Secretary
of Administration, if within the limits of specific appropriations or if approved
by the Emergency Board; and providing advice and assistance to municipalities, other
political subdivisions, State departments, and nongovernmental organizations in the
development of wholesome and adequate community or institutional recreation programs.
(c) The Commissioner shall implement the policy established under this section when construing
the provisions of this chapter related to the management of forestlands and the construction
of chapters 85 and 87 of this title. (Added 1977, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 44, eff. June 21, 1994; 2015, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)