(a) The commission shall submit to the governor the names of three (3) qualified individuals for the position of state forester. From these nominees, one (1) individual may be selected for such position. The person so appointed shall have not less than five (5) years’ experience in the management of state, federal or private forests and shall have as a minimum a bachelor’s degree in forestry from an institution accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 11-4-301

  • Code: includes the Tennessee Code and all amendments and revisions to the code and all additions and supplements to the code. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Commission: means the state forestry commission. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Commissioner: means the commissioner of agriculture. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Department: means the department of agriculture. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Division: means the division of forestry within the department. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Forestry: means the professional application of scientific principles in the management and use of forest land. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Forests: means those lands currently occupied by trees of any size and species which may or may not have commercial value but are capable of providing multiple use benefits. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Lands: includes lands, tenements and hereditaments, and all rights thereto and interests therein, equitable as well as legal. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Protection: means the application of such technology and services as may be necessary to minimize mortality and loss of growth occurring in forests as a result of wild fire, insects, disease, and other causal agents. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Reforestation: means the artificial or natural regeneration of trees on bare land, eroded sites, or previously forested areas. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • State forester: means the director of the division of forestry. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
  • State forests: means those lands owned by the state and administered under the jurisdiction of the division, for the purpose of multiple use. See Tennessee Code 11-4-103
(b) The state forester shall serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and shall be paid a salary as approved by the department of human resources. Unless otherwise provided by the commissioner, the existing state forester shall serve as the state forester under this chapter and the commission shall not submit the names of nominees pursuant to § 11-4-201(i)(1) until such time as a vacancy occurs in such position.
(c) All reimbursement for travel expenses shall be in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations as promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.
(d) The state forester, under the general supervision of the commissioner, has the duty and responsibility to:

(1) Have knowledge of all forest interests and all matters pertaining to forestry within the state;
(2) Select and employ the personnel of the division in accordance with personnel regulations as established by the department of human resources;
(3) Supervise the employees of the division;
(4) Implement and administer the programs and policies of the division;
(5) Take action to effectively prevent and suppress wildland fires;
(6) Enforce laws and regulations pertaining to forests in the state and recommend prosecution for violators;
(7) Promote and conduct educational activities in the interest of forest conservation;
(8) Cooperate with private landowners in planning for protection, management and replacement of forests;
(9) Compile statistics of forest conditions, resources and management programs;
(10) Protect and manage lands designated as state forests;
(11) Prepare long-range comprehensive plans for the protection, development, and utilization of the state’s forest resources;
(12) Cooperate with the public and private forestry interests, government entities and private organizations to promote the efficient marketing and utilization of the state’s forest resource;
(13) Prepare and submit to the commissioner and the commission the annual budget request for the division and an annual report concerning division activities and accomplishments;
(14) Collect and distribute data relative to forest problems and conditions and to supervise the enforcement of forestry laws;
(15) Cooperate with federal, state, and local governmental entities, private organizations, and individuals in programs and activities that promote the protection, development, conservation, and wise utilization of the state’s forests, including the reforestation and reclamation of eroding and other unproductive lands;
(16) Serve as compact administrator for the state in matters pertaining to the Southeast Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact as outlined in part 5 of this chapter;
(17) Develop and distribute information about forest resource conditions and division programs and conduct educational activities in the interest of forest conservation; and
(18) With approval of the commissioner, promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement the Tennessee Forestry Code.
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