Sec. 51305.

(1) The private forestland enhancement fund is created within the state treasury.

(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the fund, including general fund/general purpose appropriations, gifts, grants, and bequests. The state treasurer shall direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.

(3) Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.

(4) The department shall be the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.

(5) The department shall expend money from the fund, upon appropriation, only for 1 or more of the following purposes:

(a) Direct assistance.

(b) Indirect assistance.

(c) Administrative costs.

(6) The department shall establish criteria and procedures for approving proposed expenditures from the fund.

(7) The department of treasury shall, before November 1 of each year, notify the department of the balance in the fund at the close of the preceding fiscal year.

(8) As used in this section:

(a) "Administrative costs" includes, but is not limited to, costs incurred in administering the qualified forest program developed in section 7jj of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.7jj[1].

(b) "Direct assistance" includes, but is not limited to, programs that will provide for any of the following:

(i) Programs devoted to nonindustrial private forestland to encourage the judicious management of forestlands to maximize economic and ecological value.

(ii) Incentive and cost-share programs to assist landowners.

(iii) Programs that enhance investment of private and federal funds in sustainable forest management.

(iv) Other programs established pursuant to this part.

(c) "Indirect assistance" includes, but is not limited to, programs that will provide for any of the following:

(i) Public education and demonstration programs on sustainable management of private forestland for increasing value for wildlife habitat or timber management, or both.

(ii) Educational programs.

(iii) Technical assistance programs.

(iv) The promotion of on-site evaluation systems and management practices.

History: Add. 2013, Act 45, Imd. Eff. June 6, 2013 Compiler's Notes: Former MCL 324.51305, which pertained to stocking forest trees under rules of department, was repealed by Act 378 of 2006, Eff. Sept. 1, 2007.Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA