Powers and duties; cooperation with individuals, public agencies, and United States government.

§ 1001. Powers and duties; cooperation with individuals, public agencies, and United States government. (a) The Department of Agriculture has direction of all forest interests and all matters pertaining to forestry and woodlands within this State. The Department of Agriculture must do the following: (1) Execute all matters pertaining to forestry within the jurisdiction of this State. (2) Devise and promulgate rules and regulations for the enforcement of the state forestry laws and for the protection of forest lands, and impose fines and civil penalties in accordance with this chapter, Chapter 26 of this title, Chapter 91 of this title, or any laws enacted for the protection of forest lands. (3) Direct the improvement of publicly-owned forest lands. (4) Collect data relative to forest conditions. (5) Become familiar with and inquire into the locations of all timberland and cutover lands, and prepare maps showing the locations and areas of state forests and privately owned forests so far as available funds will permit. (6) Take such action as is authorized by law to prevent and suppress forest, brush, and grass fires. (7) Enforce all laws pertaining to forest and brush covered lands and assist in this State prosecution of violations of those laws. (8) Cooperate with landowners, counties, and others in forest production and reforestation. (9) Publish information on forestry to promote the objectives of Chapters 10, 26, and 91 of this title. (b) The Department of Agriculture is the agency of this State assigned plenary authority and responsibility in public forestry functions, in the conduct of which it may cooperate with individuals and public agencies including agencies of the United States in programs concerned with: (1) The protection of forest lands from fire, disease, and insect damage, including the application of control measures therefor. (2) Establishing forest growth on denuded or nonforested lands. (3) Aiding private forest landowners, operators, and processors of primary forest products in applying desirable woodland improvement, management, and harvesting practices. (4) Forest resource research, education, and surveys. (5) Public recreation. (c) As used in this chapter, “forest” means an area at least 1 acre in size and 120 feet wide that is at least 10% covered by live trees of any size, including land that formerly had such cover and will be naturally or artificially regenerated.72 Del. Laws, c. 235, § 2; 85 Del. Laws, c. 533, § 1;