Georgia Code § 12-6-5.1
[Reforestation
Incentives Program]
12-6-5.1.
(a) The General Assembly finds that 433,000 acres of trees were
planted in Georgia in 1984, while 640,000 acres were harvested
during that year for a net loss of over 200,000 planted acres. The
General Assembly further finds that the forest industry is of
fundamental importance to the economy of the State of Georgia and
that increased reforestation is necessary to meet future demands for
forest products and to promote economic development and additional
employment opportunities within this state. The General Assembly
further finds that many acres of farmland and other open land in
Georgia are not currently being used to the best advantage and that
a program to provide incentives to encourage reforestation on these
lands would be of great benefit to the people of Georgia. The
General Assembly further finds that increased reforestation would
substantially reduce soil erosion, which continues to be a serious
problem in Georgia, and would be of other value in preserving and
protecting wildlife and other natural resources of this state. It is
determined, therefore, that it is in the interest of the public
health, safety, and welfare and would serve an important public
purpose for the State Forestry Commission to establish a
reforestation incentives program for the State of Georgia.
(b) In accordance with the findings set forth in subsection (a)
of this Code section, the State Forestry Commission is authorized to
establish a reforestation incentives program to encourage the
planting of trees on lands within this state which are suitable for
that purpose but which are currently not being utilized or are not
being properly utilized for that purpose. In establishing and
maintaining the reforestation incentives program, the commission
may:
(1) Provide technical advice and assistance on
reforestation to landowners and encourage such landowners to
participate in the reforestation incentives program;
(2) Provide seedlings or equipment to landowners
for reforestation purposes pursuant to such terms, conditions, and
requirements as the commission shall determine;
(3) Define the types of land eligible for
participation in the reforestation incentives program and establish
limitations on such participation;
(4) Define the class or classes of landowners who
shall be eligible for participation in the reforestation incentives
program; and
(5) Provide for any other matters reasonably
necessary for the commission to establish and maintain an effective
reforestation incentives program.
(c) The powers of the commission provided by this Code section
are cumulative of other powers possessed by the commission pursuant
to any other provisions of this part or pursuant to any other law
and are not in lieu of such other powers.
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