Ohio Code 1503.03 – Acquisition of forest areas
The chief of the division of forestry shall cooperate with all state operated universities and the department of agriculture. The chief, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may purchase or acquire by gift, donations, or contributions any interest in land suitable for forestry purposes. The chief may enter into agreements with the federal government or other agencies for the acquisition, by lease, purchase, or otherwise, of such lands as in the judgment of the chief and director are desirable for state forests, building sites, or nursery lands. The chief may expend funds, not otherwise obligated, for the management, development, and utilization of such lands.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 1503.03
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
- Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
- Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
The chief, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may acquire by lease, purchase, gift, or otherwise, in the name of the state, forested or other lands in the state suitable for the growth of forest trees to the amount of the appropriation for that purpose. The chief shall prepare and submit to the director of natural resources maps and descriptions of such areas including and adjacent to the existing state forest lands, the lands within which, not at the time belonging to the state, are properly subject to purchase as state forest lands for reasons of protection, utilization, and administration. When such an area is approved by the director of natural resources, it shall be known as a state forest purchase area and the map and description, with the approval of the director of natural resources indorsed thereon, shall be filed in duplicate with the director of administrative services and the attorney general.
All lands purchased for forest purposes shall be deeded to the state, but the purchase price of such lands shall not be paid until the title thereof has been approved by the attorney general. The price of such lands shall not exceed the appropriation for such purposes.
Last updated August 5, 2021 at 2:35 PM