(a) (1) The department shall implement a program to detect, remove, and treat, if possible, trees infected with Phytophthora ramorum. This program shall encourage tree management and replanting in urban and other infected areas and assist counties in seeking innovative solutions to problems caused by Phytophthora ramorum.

(2) The department is primarily responsible for carrying out the intent of this article in cooperation with the task force and other private and public entities or persons and appropriate local, state, and federal agencies.

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(b) (1) The department shall cooperate with those agencies of the federal government that have powers and duties concerning forestry, and shall perform all actions necessary to secure for this state the benefits of federal forestry programs.

(2) To facilitate the implementation of this article, the director may enter into agreements and contracts with any public or private entity, including any local agency, that has forestry related jurisdictional responsibilities. The director may consult with those entities and agencies when carrying out the objectives of this article.

(c) The director shall take all necessary steps to prevent or retard the introduction, establishment, and spread of Phytophthora ramorum.

(d) The department and the Department of Food and Agriculture shall cooperate in setting quarantine boundary lines, if necessary, and in enforcing the provisions relating to plant quarantine and pest control in Division 4 (commencing with Section 5001) of the Food and Agricultural Code if a quarantine is established with regard to Phytophthora ramorum.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 854, Sec. 1. Effective September 25, 2002.)