§2109 General Provisions

Summary

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to work closely with State foresters or similar state officials whenever possible. The Secretary must help them, encourage them to work with other state natural resource agencies, use and promote private groups and experts for needed help, and coordinate related programs to save money and be more effective. Money given under this law stays available until it is spent. The Secretary will set rules about state programs, how money is shared among states, administrative costs, and help for non-State partners after consulting a committee of at least five State foresters chosen by a majority of the participating State foresters. The Secretary does not have to consult that committee for money spent in emergencies. For this law, "United States" and "State" include the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, and other U.S. territories and possessions. "Forest resources" covers things like beauty, fish and wildlife, forage, recreation, timber, and water. "Urban forestry" means planning and managing trees and plants in cities, suburbs, and towns. The Secretary may make rules, give grants or contracts, and help other countries with certain forestry activities, coordinating with other federal officials or international groups if the President directs. For help to other countries, "non-Federal forest land" means any forest land and related renewable resources in those countries, and the rules about State foresters do not apply to that foreign assistance.