Sec 37-483. Removal of vegetative natural products; program termination

A. On or before January 1, 2016, the commissioner, in coordination with the state forester, shall establish a program for the removal of vegetative natural products for the purpose of fire suppression and forest management on state lands. The commissioner and state forester shall identify and prioritize the state lands that would benefit the most from implementation of a program for the removal of vegetative natural products for the purpose of fire suppression and forest management in accordance with the wildfire risk assessment developed by the state forester.

B. To implement the program for the removal of vegetative natural products for the purpose of fire suppression and forest management on state lands the commissioner and state forester may:

1. Coordinate and contract with public and private entities.

2. Enter into an intergovernmental agreement pursuant to title 11, chapter 7, article 3, with a county, city, town, natural resource conservation district or other political subdivision to share the cost of implementing the program for the removal of vegetative natural products for the purpose of fire suppression and forest management on state lands. An intergovernmental agreement entered into pursuant to this paragraph must state the responsibilities of each party with regard to implementation of the program for the removal of vegetative natural products for the purpose of fire suppression and forest management on state lands.

C. The program established pursuant to this section ends on July 1, 2024 pursuant to section 41-3102.