A. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry shall consult with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service to establish procedures and standards and oversee the following:

1. The administration of the Eastern Redcedar Directory for Eastern Redcedar trees in the state. Private landowners in the state may register the location of their property, the level of infestation of Eastern Redcedar trees on the property, and average size of the trees on the property. The Department shall develop and implement a directory for landowners;

2. Promote the harvesting of Eastern Redcedar trees. Persons or entities involved in the harvesting of Eastern Redcedar trees or the manufacturing of products from Eastern Redcedar trees may register with the Department. The Department shall develop and implement a directory for harvesters and manufacturers;

3. Promote the development of new uses and markets for Eastern Redcedar trees and Eastern Redcedar products;

4. Promote marketing, research and education efforts concerning the Eastern Redcedar tree and Eastern Redcedar products;

5. Cooperate with any local, state, regional, or nationwide organization or agency engaged in work or activities consistent with the objectives of the Eastern Redcedar Management Act;

6. Assist communities located in any county in the state to organize and establish community-owned Eastern Redcedar projects in the community and to recruit and locate private for-profit Eastern Redcedar businesses in the community including but not limited to harvesting operations, biofuel plants, cedar oil manufacturing facilities, or other cedar product manufacturing facilities. The Department shall assist in securing financing, infrastructure and other resources. The Department shall also provide direction and assistance to the community-based projects and individually owned businesses on steps to take in order to qualify for existing sales tax credits and income tax credits;

7. Provide a process for the transfer of donated Eastern Redcedar trees from landowners to harvesters and manufacturers listed in the Department's directory; and

8. Take any other actions necessary to implement the Eastern Redcedar Management Act.

B. The Department and all landowners and harvesters shall comply with all applicable provisions of Article 16 of this title, known as the Oklahoma Forestry Code, when managing and harvesting Eastern Redcedar trees.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 454, § 5, eff. July 1, 2010. Amended by Laws 2018, c. 43, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2018.

NOTE: Laws 2018, c. 13, § 3 repealed by Laws 2019, c. 25, § 2, emerg. eff. April 4, 2019.