§ 13:1L-28 — Duties of council.

3. a. The council shall act in an advisory capacity to the Department of Environmental Protection, through the Division of Parks and Forestry, in making public policy to minimize the threat of forest health issues to New Jersey's forests and community trees. The council shall: (1) study and track the eastward spread of Sudden Oak Death and the impact and spread of Bacterial Leaf Scorch and other potential forest health issues; (2) evaluate New Jersey's susceptibility to these forest health issues and their impact on New Jersey's forests and community trees; (3) make recommendations to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection and officials of other appropriate State departments and agencies regarding prevention, management, treatment, control and spread of forest health issues; (4) conduct research, as necessary, on forest health issues, and seek advice, counsel and resources from State and federal sources to address them; and (5) conduct a public outreach and education program to inform the public about forest health issues. b. The council shall annually submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any recommended legislation, to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the General Assembly, and to the chairpersons of the Senate Environment Committee and the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, or their successor committees. L.2007,c.44,s.3.