Sec. KKKK-1. 12 MRSA c. 801-A is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 801-A
CERTIFIED FOREST RESOURCE MANAGER GRANT FUND
§8011. Grant fund established; purpose
There is established a certified forest resource manager grant fund, referred to in this chapter as the "grant fund," from which the bureau may award grants. A grant may be awarded to a licensed professional forester to assist that forester in obtaining initial independent 3rd-party certification as a forest resource manager. Forest land managed by a certified forest resource manager may achieve certification as a well-managed forest through clear review and acceptance procedures.
The bureau may accept donations and grants from public and private sources for deposit in the grant fund. All money received from appropriations, donations and grants to the grant fund must be deposited in a nonlapsing, dedicated account.
As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
1. Bureau. "Bureau" means the Bureau of Forestry within the Department of Conservation.
2. Forest land. "Forest land" means land used primarily to grow trees to be harvested for commercial use but where management objectives may include other values.
3. Independent 3rd-party certification. "Independent 3rd-party certification" means a system that verifies sustainable forest management through an independent 3rd-party audit of a licensed professional forester's management of a client's forest lands.
4. Licensed professional forester. "Licensed professional forester" means a person licensed pursuant to Title 32, chapter 75.
§8013. Administration of grant fund; procedure
The bureau shall administer the grant fund pursuant to this section.
1. Eligibility. The bureau may award grants to a licensed professional forester seeking initial independent 3rd-party certification as a forest resource manager in order that the forester's client landowners may obtain the benefits accruing from such certification.
2. Amount of grant. The bureau may provide a grant to a licensed professional forester in an amount equal to 50% of the cost of obtaining independent 3rd-party certification as a forest resource manager or $1,000, whichever is less.
3. Repayment. A licensed professional forester who accepts a grant but who fails to qualify as a certified forest resource manager within one year of receiving the grant or who fails to retain certification for the full certification period shall repay the amount of the grant to the bureau. The bureau may impose a reasonable interest rate on the amount of the grant.
4. Forms; rulemaking. The bureau shall provide application forms for licensed professional foresters seeking grants pursuant to this chapter. The bureau shall adopt rules to implement the purposes of this chapter. Rules adopted pursuant to this chapter are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.
5. Report. By January 2, 2007, the director of the bureau shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over forestry matters outlining the costs and benefits of the certified forest resource manager grant fund.
This subsection is repealed January 31, 2007.
Sec. KKKK-2. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Part.
2001-02
CONSERVATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Forest Policy and Management - Division of
All Other $5,000
Appropriates funds to provide initial funding for a grant program to be administered through the certified forest resource manager grant fund. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Act, the State Controller shall transfer these funds to the certified forest resource manager grant fund.
Sec. KKKK-3. Allocation. The following funds are allocated from Other Special Revenue funds to carry out the purposes of this Part.
2001-02 2002-03
CONSERVATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Forest Policy and Management - Division of
All Other $5,000 $5,000
Allocates funds to provide grants to assist foresters with the costs of obtaining certain certifications.
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