Vermont § 2601 - Policy and purposes

§ 2601. Policy and purposes

• (a) The conservation of the forests, timberlands, woodlands, and soil and recreational
  resources of the State are hereby declared to be in the public interest. It is the
  policy of the State to encourage economic management of its forests and woodlands,
  to sustain long-term forest health, integrity, and productivity, to maintain, conserve,
  and improve its soil resources, and to control forest pests to the end that forest
  benefits, including maple sugar production, are preserved for its people, floods and
  soil erosion are alleviated, hazards of forest fires are lessened, its natural beauty
  is preserved, its wildlife is protected, the development of its recreational interests
  is encouraged, the fertility and productivity of its soil are maintained, the impairment
  of its dams and reservoirs is prevented, its tax base is protected, and the health,
  safety, and general welfare of its people are sustained and promoted. (b) The Department shall implement the policies of this chapter by assisting forestland
  owners and lumber operators in the cutting and marketing of forest growth, encouraging
  cooperation between forest owners, lumber operators, and the State of Vermont in the
  practice of conservation and management of forestlands, managing, promoting, and protecting
  the multiple use of publicly owned forestlands and park lands; planning, constructing,
  developing, operating, and maintaining the system of State parks; determining the
  necessity of repairs and replacements to all Department-owned buildings and causing
  urgent repairs and replacements to be accomplished, with the approval of the Secretary
  of Administration, if within the limits of specific appropriations or if approved
  by the Emergency Board; and providing advice and assistance to municipalities, other
  political subdivisions, State departments, and nongovernmental organizations in the
  development of wholesome and adequate community or institutional recreation programs. (c) The Commissioner shall implement the policy established under this section when construing
  the provisions of this chapter related to the management of forestlands and the construction
  of chapters 85 and 87 of this title. (Added 1977, No. 253 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 1993, No. 233 (Adj. Sess.), § 44, eff. June 21, 1994; 2015, No. 171 (Adj. Sess.), § 2.)