§ 36-2-108 — Appointment of state forester; qualifications; duties

Wyoming § 36-2-108

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming
• Title 36: Public Land
• Ch. 2: BOARD OF LAND COMMISSIONERS
• Art. 1: IN GENERAL

Text

(a) The state board of land commissioners shall appoint a
state forester who shall be the administrative head of the
Wyoming state forestry division of the office of state lands and
investments. The state forester shall serve at the pleasure of
the board. The state forester shall have a bachelor's degree in
forestry with not less than four (4) years experience in
professional forestry work. The state forester shall, under the
general supervision of the board, have direction of all forest
interest and all matters pertaining to forestry within the
jurisdiction of the state of Wyoming.
(b) The state forester shall:
(i) Take such action as may be deemed necessary by
the state board of land commissioners to protect forest, range
and other rural resources from fire. This responsibility shall
in no way diminish the responsibility or authority of local fire
protection districts;
(ii) Assist the county sheriff in the enforcement of
all laws pertaining to the protection of forest and range lands
from fire;
(iii) Collect data relative to forest conditions;
(iv) Prepare an annual report on the progress and
condition of state forestry work;
(v) Recommend plans for improving the state system of
forest protection, management and replacement;
(vi) Whenever it is deemed essential and to the best
interest of the state, cooperate with counties, cities, towns,
corporations, or individuals for the protection, management and
planting of trees, woodlots and timber tracts;
(vii) Promote the development of the forest industry;
(viii) Cooperate with federal agencies and all
political subdivisions of the state to fulfill the intent of
this section;
(ix) Adopt rules as necessary to fulfill the duties
described in this article;
(x) Appoint assistants and employees as are necessary
in executing the duties of the division;
(xi) Maintain wildland and forestry fire control
programs including, but not limited to:
(A) Fire management, coordination and
reimbursement for all lands owned and managed by the state of
Wyoming and its agencies;
(B) Fire management assistance within the state
of Wyoming;
(C) Pre-position suppression equipment,
personnel and other resources during periods of high wildfire
risk;
(D) Support for local fire jurisdiction training
programs;
(E) Establishing standards and regulations for
privately contracted private wildland fire resources operating
in Wyoming. As used in this subparagraph, "privately contracted
private wildland fire resources" includes services retained by
insurers for prevention and suppression activities on insured
properties.