South Carolina § 48-23-295 - Forestry services to landowners; fees; disposition; forestry services to local governments and state agencies; reimbursement.

§ 48-23-295. Forestry services to landowners; fees; disposition; forestry services to local governments and state agencies; reimbursement.

(A) The State Commission of Forestry may make available forestry services consisting of scientific, technical, and practical services to landowners of the State to assist them in the afforestation, reforestation, and maximum production of their woodland. These services consist of specialized equipment and operators or rental of the equipment to perform labor and services necessary to carry out approved forestry practices including mechanical and chemical site preparation, processing forest tree seed, forest tree planting, insect and disease control, prescribed burning, firebreak plowing, and other appropriate practices to assist landowners in maximum production of their woodland.

(B) For the services or rentals a reasonable fee representing the commission's estimate of not less than the cost of the services or rentals must be charged. When the State Forester considers it in the public interest the services may be provided without charge to encourage the use of approved scientific forestry practices on private or other forestlands within the State or for the purposes of providing practical demonstrations of the practices.

(C) One hundred percent of the receipts from these activities and rentals must be retained by the commission for administration and operation of the forestry services program in the units which the estimated costs determine the fees charged generating these receipts, provided, the receipts from processing forest tree seed may be used agencywide. The administration of this section is under the State Forester. The landowner shall compensate the commission according to rates established by it. The commission may carry forward unexpended funds under this subsection to be used for these purposes.

(D) The commission may cooperate and offer the same services to counties, municipalities, and state agencies and make the forestry services and rental equipment available to them. Counties, municipalities, and state agencies shall reimburse the commission according to its fee schedule.

HISTORY: 1981 Act No. 178, Part II, SECTION 9; 1992 Act No. 468, SECTION 1.