(a)When allocating available funds among projects proposed pursuant to this chapter, the director shall select those projects that, in the judgment of the director, produce the greatest public benefit, giving consideration to both of the following factors:
(1)The need for and potential benefits of forest resource establishment or improvement were the project to be undertaken.
(2)The need for and potential benefits to long-term production, maintenance, and enhancement of the forest resource system resulting from forest land conservation measures, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, or other work.
(b)The director shall give increased preference to projects to the extent that the project applies to forest land that has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or ot
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(a)
When allocating available funds among projects proposed pursuant to this chapter, the director shall select those projects that, in the judgment of the director, produce the greatest public benefit, giving consideration to both of the following factors:
(1)
The need for and potential benefits of forest resource establishment or improvement were the project to be undertaken.
(2)
The need for and potential benefits to long-term production, maintenance, and enhancement of the forest resource system resulting from forest land conservation measures, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, or other work.
(b)
The director shall give increased preference to projects to the extent that the project applies to forest land that has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes within 36 months of submission of an application pursuant to this chapter.
(c)
The director shall also give preference to projects to the extent that each of the following factors are present:
(1)
The project involves a substantial amount of followup work.
(2)
The project or other actions of the landowner would increase recreational opportunities for the public.
(3)
The forest land to which the project applies is equivalent to site quality III or better.
(4)
The project would provide relatively more employment opportunities than other proposed projects.
(5)
The project is located in a county with high unemployment.
(6)
A small business entity will carry out the proposed project.
(d)
Consistent with the criteria set forth in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), the director shall prepare and submit to the board proposed guidelines further specifying the criteria for evaluation and approval of forest resource improvement projects. The board shall review, approve, or amend the guidelines that the director shall follow when carrying out this chapter.
(e)
The director shall establish, in consultation with interested persons or agencies and with the review and approval of the board, procedures for the review of proposed forest resource improvement projects. Those procedures shall insure that department specialists and other specialists in the areas of water quality, erosion control, and fish and wildlife protection are integrated into the review of proposed forest resource improvement projects.
(f)
No allocation of funds pursuant to this chapter shall, in any fiscal year, exceed the total amount expended during the 1999–2000 fiscal year until the completion, review, and final approval by the board of an updated management plan for the Jackson Demonstration State Forest that complies with applicable state and federal law.