1. It is the purpose of this section to provide for the maintenance of forest and vegetative cover on forest and watershed land, to conserve water and soil and to prevent destructive floods.

2. The State Forester Firewarden, with the approval of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may:

(a) Enter into contracts with any state or federal public agency, municipal corporation, or any person, firm or private corporation to establish and preserve forest and vegetative cover on forest or watershed lands.

(b) Conduct surveys and studies, formulate plans and perform all acts incidental to the establishment and maintenance of forest and vegetative cover on forest and watershed lands, including any work necessary to accomplish such purposes.

3. In entering into contracts the State Forester Firewarden shall give priority to, but not be limited to, situations where:

(a) The natural vegetative cover has been destroyed or denuded to the extent that precipitation may create floods and serious soil depletion and erosion.

(b) The denuded area is of a size, and the topography and soil characteristics are of such a nature, that soil loss and floods will have a significant effect upon watershed values and the public welfare.

(c) The vegetative cover will not be restored by natural means in time effectively to prevent undue erosion and flood runoff.

(d) The natural succession of vegetation may be detrimental to the public welfare.

4. The State Forester Firewarden, or any agents of the State Forester Firewarden, with the approval of the Director of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, may enter into cooperative agreements with federal agencies, counties, county fire protection districts, cities and private landowners for the purposes set forth in this section.

(Added to NRS by 1969, 388; A 1977, 1146)