106-878. Applications of proceeds from sale of products.

(a) Application of Proceeds Generally. - Except as provided in this section, all money received from the sale of wood, timber, minerals, or other products from the State forests shall be paid into the State treasury and to the credit of the Department; and such money shall be expended in carrying out the purposes of this Article and of forestry in general, under the direction of the Commissioner.

(b) Tree Cone and Seed Purchase Fund. - A percentage of the money obtained from the sale of seedlings and remaining unobligated at the end of a fiscal year shall be placed in a special, continuing, and nonreverting Tree Cone and Seed Purchase Fund under the control and direction of the Commissioner. The percentage of the sales placed in the Fund shall not exceed ten percent (10%). At the beginning of each fiscal year, the Commissioner shall select the percentage for the upcoming fiscal year depending upon the anticipated costs of tree cones and seeds which the Department must purchase. Money in this Fund shall not be allowed to accumulate in excess of the amount needed to purchase a four-year supply of tree cones and seed and shall be used for no purpose other than the purchase of tree cones and seeds.

(c) Forest Seedling Nursery Program Fund. - The Forest Seedling Nursery Program Fund is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina Forest Service, as a special revenue fund. Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this Fund shall consist of receipts from the sale of seed and seedlings as authorized in G.S. 106-877 and any gifts, bequests, or grants for the benefit of this Fund. No General Fund appropriations shall be credited to this Fund. Any balance remaining in this Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert. The Department may use this Fund only to develop, improve, repair, maintain, operate, or otherwise invest in the Forest Seedling Nursery Program.

(d) Bladen Lakes State Forest Fund. - The Bladen Lakes State Forest Fund is created within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina Forest Service, as a special revenue fund. This Fund shall consist of receipts from the sale of forest products from Bladen Lakes State Forest as authorized in G.S. 106-877 and any gifts, bequests, or grants for the benefit of this Fund. No General Fund appropriations shall be credited to this Fund. Any balance remaining in this Fund at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert. The Department may use this Fund only to develop, improve, repair, maintain, operate, or otherwise invest in the Bladen Lakes State Forest.