South Carolina General Assembly
106th Session, 1985-1986

Bill 2399

                    Current Status

Bill Number:               2399
Ratification Number:       461
Act Number:                417
Introducing Body:          House
Subject:                   Prescribe procedures to be followed by
                           the state forester when disasters affect the
                           forest resources of the state
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(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A417, R461, H2399)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 48-23-86 SO AS TO PRESCRIBE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE STATE FORESTER WHEN DISASTERS AFFECT THE FOREST RESOURCES OF THE STATE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

State Forester to take action

SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 48-23-86. The State Forester shall take immediate action upon report of a forest disaster to determine the extent of damage by conducting ground and aerial surveys including photography if necessary. When conditions warrant, the State Forester shall declare that a forest disaster exists and notify the Governor of his action.

All necessary resources of the Forestry Commission may be used to assist citizens and local governments on public and private land where life or health are in danger. The Forestry Commission shall also assist other state agencies, utility companies and cooperatives, in the clearing of transportation routes, and power and communication lines.

The Forestry Commission shall develop a Forest Disaster Plan to provide for systematic salvage and utilization of all forest products damaged by disasters of all types. This plan shall provide methods to coordinate all forestry community interests and groups to conserve the damaged forest resources of South Carolina, protect the environment and reestablish forests on the damaged areas.

After the disaster area has resumed normal status and salvage is completed, the State Forester shall declare the forest disaster over, compile a report of the disaster, and inform the Governor."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon approval by the Governor.