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The Florida Senate

2021 Florida Statutes (Including 2021B Session)

Title XXXV AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AND ANIMAL INDUSTRY
Chapter 589
FORESTRY
CHAPTER 589
CHAPTER 589
FORESTRY
589.01 Florida Forestry Council.
589.011 Use of state forest lands; fees; rules.
589.012 Friends of Florida State Forests Program.
589.02 Headquarters and meetings of council.
589.04 Duties of Florida Forest Service.
589.06 Warrants for payment of accounts.
589.065 Florida Forever Program Trust Fund of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
589.07 Florida Forest Service may acquire lands for forest purposes.
589.071 Traffic control within state forest or Florida Forest Service-assigned lands.
589.08 Land acquisition restrictions.
589.09 Use of lands acquired.
589.10 Disposition of lands.
589.101 Blackwater River State Forest; lease of board’s interest in gas, oil, and other minerals.
589.102 Blackwater River State Forest; use of leased forest lands.
589.11 Duties of Florida Forest Service as to Clarke-McNary Law.
589.12 Rules and regulations.
589.13 Lien of Florida Forest Service and other parties, for forestry work, etc.
589.14 Enforcement of lien; notice.
589.15 Form of notice.
589.16 Time for filing notice of lien.
589.17 Application of general laws.
589.18 Florida Forest Service to make certain investigations.
589.19 Creation of certain state forests; naming of certain state forests; Operation Outdoor Freedom Program.
589.20 Cooperation by Florida Forest Service.
589.21 Management to be for public interest.
589.27 Power of eminent domain; procedure.
589.275 Planting of indigenous trees on state lands.
589.277 Tree planting programs.
589.28 County commissions or municipalities authorized to cooperate with Florida Forest Service.
589.29 Quality of assistance.
589.30 Duty of district or center manager.
589.31 Cooperative agreement.
589.32 Cost of providing county forestry assistance.
589.33 Expenditure of budgeted funds.
589.34 Revocation of agreement.
589.01 Florida Forestry Council.—The Florida Forestry Council, hereinafter called the “council,” is hereby created in the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The council shall be composed of five members appointed by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for terms of 4 years.
(1) There shall be one member of the council from each of the following areas of forestry:
(a) The pulp and paper manufacturing industry.
(b) A forest products industry other than that described in paragraph (a).
(c) A timber or timber products dealer.
(d) An individual forest landowner.
(e) An active member of a statewide conservation organization having as one of its principal objectives the conservation and development of the forest resource.
(2) Not fewer than two or more than three nominations shall be made for each membership on the council, and any statewide organization representing an area of forestry represented on the council may make nominations.
(3) The council shall meet at the call of its chair, at the request of a majority of its membership or of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or at such times as may be prescribed by its rules.
(4) A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, and an act by a majority of such quorum at any meeting shall constitute an official act of the council.
(5) The powers and duties of the council shall be as follows:
(a) To consider and study the entire field of forestry;
(b) To advise, counsel, and consult with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Director of the Florida Forest Service upon request in connection with the promulgation, administration, and enforcement of all laws and rules relating to forestry;
(c) To consider all matters submitted to it by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or the Director of the Florida Forest Service;
(d) To offer suggestions and recommendations to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Director of the Florida Forest Service on its own initiative in regard to changes in the laws and rules relating to forestry as may be deemed advisable to secure the effective administration and enforcement of such laws and rules relating to the work of the Florida Forest Service; and
(e) To keep a complete record of all its proceedings, showing the names of the members present at each meeting and any action taken by the council, and to file and maintain such records in the Florida Forest Service as a public record.
History.—s. 1, ch. 12283, 1927; CGL 4151(1); s. 1, ch. 20419, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 70-306; s. 1, ch. 70-439; s. 204, ch. 77-104; s. 18, ch. 77-108; s. 6, ch. 78-95; s. 4, ch. 78-323; ss. 1, 4, 5, ch. 81-80; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 51, ch. 83-216; s. 2, ch. 83-265; ss. 1, 2, ch. 87-10; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 948, ch. 97-103; s. 23, ch. 2012-7.
589.011 Use of state forest lands; fees; rules.—
(1) If authorized by a land management plan approved pursuant to chapter 253 or by an interim assignment letter which identifies the interim management activities issued by the Department of Environmental Protection pursuant to chapter 259, the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may grant privileges, permits, leases, and concessions for the use of state forest lands or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes, timber, and forest products pursuant to this chapter.
(2) The Florida Forest Service is authorized to grant easements for rights-of-way, over, across, and upon state forest lands for the construction and maintenance of poles and lines for the transmission and distribution of electrical power, pipelines for the distribution and transportation of oils and gases, and for telephone and telegraphic purposes and for public roads, under such conditions and limitations as the Florida Forest Service may impose.
(3) The Florida Forest Service may set and impose reasonable fees, rentals, or charges for the use or operation of facilities and concessions on state forests or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes based on factors such as the cost and extent of recreational facilities and services, geographic location, seasonal public demand, fees charged by other governmental and private entities for comparable services and activities, and market value and demand for forest products. Moneys collected from such fees, rentals, and charges shall be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.
(4) The Florida Forest Service may adopt and enforce rules necessary for the protection, utilization, occupancy, and development of state forest lands or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes. Any person violating or otherwise failing to comply with any provision of this subsection or rule adopted under this subsection commits a noncriminal violation as defined in s. 775.08(3), punishable only by fine, not to exceed $500 per violation. Jurisdiction shall be with the appropriate county court.
(5) The Florida Forest Service may prohibit on state forest lands, or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes, activities that interfere with management objectives, create a nuisance, or pose a threat to public safety. Such prohibited activities must be posted with signs not more than 500 feet apart along, and at each corner of, the boundaries of the land. The signs must be placed along the boundary line of posted land in a manner and in such position as to be clearly noticeable from outside the boundary line. A person who violates the provisions of this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(6) The Florida Forest Service may enter into contracts or agreements, with or without competitive bidding or procurement, to make available, on a fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory basis, property and other structures under Florida Forest Service control for the placement of new facilities by any wireless provider of mobile service as defined in 47 U.S.C. s. 153(27) or 47 U.S.C. s. 332(d) or any telecommunications company as defined in s. 364.02 when it is determined to be practical and feasible to make such property or other structures available. The Florida Forest Service may, without adopting a rule, charge a just, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory fee for the placement of the facilities, payable annually, based on the fair market value of space used by comparable communications facilities in the state. The Florida Forest Service and a wireless provider or telecommunications company may negotiate the reduction or elimination of a fee in consideration of services provided to the Florida Forest Service by the wireless provider or telecommunications company. All such fees collected by the Florida Forest Service shall be deposited in the Incidental Trust Fund.
History.—ss. 1-4, ch. 25324, 1949; s. 1, ch. 59-168; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 251, ch. 71-377; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; s. 1, ch. 87-10; s. 1, ch. 88-321; s. 79, ch. 93-169; s. 5, ch. 97-220; s. 118, ch. 2010-5; s. 24, ch. 2012-7; s. 146, ch. 2014-150.
589.012 Friends of Florida State Forests Program.—The Friends of Florida State Forests Program is established within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Its purpose is to provide support and assistance for existing and future programs of the Florida Forest Service. These programs must be consistent with the Florida Forest Service mission statement which is incorporated by reference. The purpose of the program is to:
(1) Conduct programs and activities related to environmental education, fire prevention, recreation, and forest management.
(2) Identify and pursue methods to provide resources and materials for these programs.
(3) Establish a statewide method to integrate these resources and materials.
History.—s. 6, ch. 97-220; s. 25, ch. 2012-7.
589.02 Headquarters and meetings of council.—The official headquarters of the council shall be in Tallahassee, but it may hold meetings at such other places in the state as it may determine by resolutions or as may be selected by a majority of the members of the council in any call for a meeting. The council shall annually elect from its members a chair, a vice chair, and a secretary. A majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum for such purposes.
History.—ss. 1, 2, ch. 12283, 1927; CGL 4151(1),(2); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 4, ch. 78-323; ss. 2, 4, 5, ch. 81-80; s. 1, ch. 82-46; s. 2, ch. 83-265; ss. 1, 2, ch. 87-10; s. 5, ch. 91-429; s. 949, ch. 97-103; s. 20, ch. 2013-226.
589.04 Duties of Florida Forest Service.—
(1) The Florida Forest Service shall cooperate with federal, state, and local governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other persons to:
(a) Promote and encourage forest fire protection, forest environmental education, forest land stewardship, good forest management, tree planting and care, forest recreation, and the proper management of public lands.
(b) Apply for, solicit, and receive grants, funds, services, equipment, and supplies from those agencies, organizations, firms, and individuals.
(2) All grant proceeds and funds received for these purposes shall be deposited in the Incidental Trust Fund. Expenditures of these funds shall be for the purposes established in this section.
(3) The Florida Forest Service shall provide direction for the multiple-use management of forest lands owned by the state; serve as the lead management agency for state-owned land primarily suited for forest resource management; and provide to other state agencies having land management responsibilities technical guidance and management plan development for managing the forest resources on state-owned lands managed for other objectives. Multiple-purpose use shall include, but is not limited to, water-resource protection, forest-ecosystems protection, natural-resource-based low-impact recreation, and sustainable timber management for forest products.
(4) The Florida Forest Service shall begin immediately an aggressive program to reforest and afforest, with appropriate tree species, lands over which the Florida Forest Service has forest resource management responsibility.
History.—s. 4, ch. 12283, 1927; CGL 4151(4); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 80, ch. 93-169; s. 9, ch. 95-372; s. 21, ch. 96-231; s. 4, ch. 98-332; s. 26, ch. 2012-7.
589.06 Warrants for payment of accounts.—Upon the presentation to the Chief Financial Officer of any accounts duly approved by the Florida Forest Service, accompanied by such itemized vouchers or accounts as shall be required by her or him, the Chief Financial Officer shall audit the same and draw a warrant for the amount for which the account is audited, payable out of funds to the credit of the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 7, ch. 12283, 1927; CGL 4151(7); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 950, ch. 97-103; s. 740, ch. 2003-261; s. 27, ch. 2012-7.
589.065 Florida Forever Program Trust Fund of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.—
(1) There is created a Florida Forever Program Trust Fund within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to carry out the duties of the department under the Florida Forever Act as specified in s. 259.105(3)(f). The trust fund shall receive funds pursuant to s. 259.105(3)(f).
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the trust fund.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2000-279; s. 37, ch. 2001-63; s. 2, ch. 2004-119.
589.07 Florida Forest Service may acquire lands for forest purposes.—The Florida Forest Service, on behalf of the state and subject to the restrictions mentioned in s. 589.08, may acquire lands, suitable for state forest purposes, by gift, donation, contribution, purchase, or otherwise and may enter into agreements with the Federal Government, or other agency, for acquiring by gift, purchase, or otherwise, such lands as are, in the judgment of the Florida Forest Service, suitable and desirable for state forests. The acquisition procedures for state lands provided in s. 253.025 do not apply to acquisition of land by the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 1, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-y); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 18, ch. 79-255; s. 2, ch. 90-304; s. 22, ch. 96-231; s. 24, ch. 96-389; s. 28, ch. 2012-7; s. 44, ch. 2016-233.
589.071 Traffic control within state forest or Florida Forest Service-assigned lands.—The Florida Forest Service on behalf of the state may adopt rules to control ingress, egress, and all other movement of motor vehicles, bicycles, horses, and pedestrians, as well as all other types of traffic, within a state forest or any lands leased by or otherwise assigned to the Florida Forest Service for management purposes, outside of the designated right-of-way of state or county-maintained roads, and may designate special areas off the roadways for the operation of recreational type vehicles which need not be licensed or operated by licensed drivers. Any person violating or otherwise failing to comply with any of the provisions of this section or rules adopted pursuant hereto is guilty of a noncriminal violation as defined in s. 775.08(3), punishable only by fine not to exceed $500. Jurisdiction shall be with the appropriate county court.
History.—s. 1, ch. 72-246; s. 53, ch. 76-31; s. 4, ch. 80-280; s. 29, ch. 2012-7.
589.08 Land acquisition restrictions.—
(1) The Florida Forest Service shall enter into no agreement for the acquisition, lease, or purchase of any land or for any other purpose whatsoever which shall pledge the credit of, or obligate in any manner whatsoever, the state to pay any sum of money or other thing of value for such purpose, and the Florida Forest Service shall not in any manner or for any purpose pledge the credit of or obligate the state to pay any sum of money.
(2) The Florida Forest Service may receive, hold the custody of, and exercise the control of any lands, and set aside into a separate, distinct and inviolable fund, any proceeds derived from the sales of the products of such lands, the use thereof in any manner, or the sale of such lands save the 25 percent of the proceeds to be paid into the State School Fund as provided by law. The Florida Forest Service may use and apply such funds for the acquisition, use, custody, management, development, or improvement of any lands vested in or subject to the control of the Florida Forest Service. After full payment has been made for the purchase of a state forest to the Federal Government or other grantor, 15 percent of the gross receipts from a state forest shall be paid to the fiscally constrained county or counties, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which it is located in proportion to the acreage located in each county for use by the county or counties for school purposes.
(3) The Florida Forest Service shall pay 15 percent of the gross receipts from the Goethe State Forest to each fiscally constrained county, as described in s. 218.67(1), in which a portion of the respective forest is located in proportion to the forest acreage located in such county. The funds must be equally divided between the board of county commissioners and the school board of each fiscally constrained county.
History.—s. 3, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-aa); s. 1, ch. 57-159; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 90-304; s. 9, ch. 92-4; s. 3, ch. 95-372; s. 354, ch. 96-406; s. 44, ch. 2009-66; s. 30, ch. 2012-7; s. 144, ch. 2014-150.
589.09 Use of lands acquired.—All lands acquired by the Florida Forest Service on behalf of the state shall be in the custody of and subject to the jurisdiction, management, and control of the Florida Forest Service, and, for such purposes and the utilization and development of such land, the Florida Forest Service may use the proceeds of the sale of any products therefrom, the proceeds of the sale of any such lands, save the 25 percent of such proceeds which shall be paid into the State School Fund as required by s. 1010.71(1), and such other funds as may be appropriated for use by the Florida Forest Service, and in the opinion of the Florida Forest Service, available for such uses and purposes.
History.—s. 2, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-z); s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1030, ch. 2002-387; s. 32, ch. 2012-7.
589.10 Disposition of lands.—The Florida Forest Service, with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and the Governor, may sell, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of any lands under its jurisdiction by the provisions of this chapter when in its judgment it is advantageous to the state to do so in the interest of the highest orderly development, improvement, and management of the state forests and state parks. All such sales, exchanges, leases, or dispositions of such lands, shall be at least upon a 30-day public notice, to be given in the manner deemed reasonable by the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 4, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-bb); s. 24, ch. 57-1; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 27, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 33, ch. 2012-7.
589.101 Blackwater River State Forest; lease of board’s interest in gas, oil, and other minerals.—Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 253.51-253.61, the Florida Forest Service is hereby expressly granted the authority to lease its 25-percent interest in oil, gas, and other minerals within the boundaries of the Blackwater River State Forest; provided, however, that grants shall be made only to the lessee or lessees holding the 75-percent interest in said minerals retained by the United States in its conveyance to this state. The concurrence of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund required by s. 589.10 shall not be necessary under the provisions of this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 59-184; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 27, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 75, ch. 2000-154; s. 34, ch. 2012-7.
589.102 Blackwater River State Forest; use of leased forest lands.—Each person leasing land within the Blackwater River State Forest shall confine all grazing animals upon the area covered by the lease.
History.—s. 1, ch. 65-565.
589.11 Duties of Florida Forest Service as to Clarke-McNary Law.—
(1) The Florida Forest Service is designated and authorized as the agent of the state to cooperate with the United States Secretary of Agriculture under the provisions of “ss. 4 and 5, Chapter 348, 43 Statutes 654, Acts of Congress, June 7, 1924, known as the Clarke-McNary Law,” to assist owners of farms in establishing, improving, and renewing woodlots, shelterbelts, windbreaks, and other valuable forest growth; in growing and renewing useful timber crops; and to cooperate with the wood-using industries or other agencies, governmental or otherwise, interested in proper land use, forest management, and conservative forest utilization.
(2) As a means of providing seedling trees for the purposes of this section, the Florida Forest Service is authorized to operate a seedling tree nursery program and to set reasonable prices for the sale to the public of seedling trees. Receipts from the sale of seedling trees shall be deposited into the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 7, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-ee); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, ch. 88-321; s. 35, ch. 2012-7.
589.12 Rules and regulations.—The Florida Forest Service may make rules and regulations and do such acts and things as shall be reasonable and necessary to accomplish the purposes of ss. 589.07-589.11.
History.—s. 8, ch. 17027, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-ff); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 36, ch. 2012-7.
589.13 Lien of Florida Forest Service and other parties, for forestry work, etc.—Liens prior in dignity to all others accruing thereafter shall exist in favor of the following persons, boards, firms, or corporations upon the following described real estate, under the circumstances hereinafter mentioned:
(1) The Florida Forest Service, the United States Government, or other governmental authority, upon all lands covered in any cooperative or other agreement entered into between the landowner and the Florida Forest Service (which term shall embrace and include agreements with the Florida Forest Service);
(2) The United States Government or other governmental authority, for the prevention and control of woods fires and other forestry work to the extent of the amounts expended by the Florida Forest Service or other governmental authority for and on behalf of the landowner and not paid by the landowner under the terms of said agreement.
History.—s. 1, ch. 17026, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-t); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 37, ch. 2012-7.
589.14 Enforcement of lien; notice.—The Florida Forest Service, United States Government, or other governmental authority shall be entitled to subject said real estate in equity for the value of such expenditures made by it in pursuance of any such agreement, and may, at any time after the expenditure thereof and after default in payment thereof by the landowner in accordance with the terms of such agreement, file in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which the property is located, and have recorded in the record of liens kept by such clerk, a notice of the expenditures made in pursuance of such agreement and of default of the landowner in the payment of same in accordance with the terms thereof (the form of notice being provided in s. 589.15), and from the date of the filing of such notice the rights of purchasers or creditors of such landowner shall be subject and subordinate to the claim set out in the notice.
History.—s. 2, ch. 17026, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-u); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 38, ch. 2012-7.
589.15 Form of notice.—The said notice shall be substantially as follows: It shall be in writing and shall be sworn to by the duly authorized agent of the Florida Forest Service or governmental authority filing same. It shall state the name of the owner of said property, the nature and character of the labor or services performed or to be performed, an itemized statement of the expenditures made in pursuance of said agreement and the value thereof, and shall also contain a description of the property covered by the said agreement and to which said services and expenditures are applicable.
History.—s. 3, ch. 17026, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-v); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 39, ch. 2012-7.
589.16 Time for filing notice of lien.—The notice of lien may be filed prior to the filing of a complaint brought to enforce said lien; provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the filing of such notice at any time after the contract or agreement has been entered into and default made by the landowner in payment of any amount due under the contract or agreement; and suit in equity to enforce the rights of the Florida Forest Service or governmental authority as provided in this chapter must be brought within 12 months from the filing of said notice of lien.
History.—s. 4, ch. 17026, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-w); s. 2, ch. 29737, 1955; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 40, ch. 2012-7.
589.17 Application of general laws.—The general laws of this state with reference to the acquisition and enforcement of statutory liens shall be applicable to the lien created by ss. 589.13-589.16 insofar as the same may be consistent with and pertinent hereto.
History.—s. 5, ch. 17026, 1935; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-x).
589.18 Florida Forest Service to make certain investigations.—The Florida Forest Service shall conduct investigations and make surveys to determine the areas of land in the state which are available and suitable for reforestation projects and state forests, and may recommend to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, any state agency, or any agency created by state law which is authorized to accept lands in the name of the state, concerning their acquisition. The Florida Forest Service shall be considered as a state agency under this law.
History.—s. 1, ch. 16030, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-a); s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 27, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 41, ch. 2012-7.
589.19 Creation of certain state forests; naming of certain state forests; Operation Outdoor Freedom Program.—
(1) When the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, any state agency, or any agency created by state law, authorized to accept reforestation lands in the name of the state, approves the recommendations of the Florida Forest Service in reference to the acquisition of land and acquires such land, the board, state agency, or agency created by state law may formally designate and dedicate any area as a reforestation project, or state forest, and where so designated and dedicated such area shall be under the administration of the Florida Forest Service, which is authorized to manage and administer such area according to the purpose for which it was designated and dedicated.
(2) The first state forest acquired by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund in Baker County is to be named the John M. Bethea State Forest. This is to honor Mr. John M. Bethea who was Florida’s fourth state forester and whose distinguished career in state government spanned 46 years and who is a native of Baker County.
(3) The state forest managed by the Florida Forest Service in Seminole County is to be named the Charles H. Bronson State Forest to honor Charles H. Bronson, the tenth Commissioner of Agriculture, for his distinguished contribution to this state’s agriculture and natural resources.
(4)(a) To honor the nation’s disabled veterans and injured active duty servicemembers, the Florida Forest Service shall coordinate efforts to develop an Operation Outdoor Freedom Program to provide hunting and other activities for eligible veterans and servicemembers in designated state forest areas and on designated public and private lands. The Legislature finds it to be in the public interest for the Florida Forest Service to develop partnerships with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and other public and private organizations in order to provide the needed resources and funding to make the program successful.
(b) Participation in the Operation Outdoor Freedom Program shall be limited to Florida residents, as defined in s. 379.101(30)(b), who:
1. Are honorably discharged military veterans certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor or by any branch of the United States Armed Forces to be at least 30 percent permanently service-connected disabled;
2. Have been awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart; or
3. Are active duty servicemembers with a service-connected injury as determined by his or her branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Proof of eligibility under this subsection, as prescribed by the Florida Forest Service, may be required.

(c) Notwithstanding the eligibility requirements for program participation in paragraph (b), guided or unguided invitation-only activities may be conducted as part of the Operation Outdoor Freedom Program for injured or disabled veterans and injured or disabled active duty servicemembers of any branch of the United States Armed Forces in designated state forest areas and on designated public and private lands. The Florida Forest Service may grant admittance to designated areas and lands to a person who is not an eligible veteran or servicemember for the sole purpose of accompanying an eligible veteran or servicemember who requires the person’s assistance to use such areas and lands.
(d) The Florida Forest Service may cooperate with state and federal agencies, local governments, private landowners, and other entities in connection with the Operation Outdoor Freedom Program. Donations to the Operation Outdoor Freedom Program shall be deposited into the account of the Friends of Florida State Forests Program created under s. 589.012 and used for Operation Outdoor Freedom Program activities.
(e)1. A private landowner who provides land for designation and use as an Operation Outdoor Freedom Program hunting site shall have limited liability pursuant to s. 375.251.
2. A private landowner who consents to the designation and use of land as part of the Operation Outdoor Freedom Program without compensation shall be considered a volunteer, as defined in s. 110.501, and shall be covered by state liability protection pursuant to s. 768.28, including s. 768.28(9).
3. This subsection does not:
a. Relieve any person of liability that would otherwise exist for deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to persons or property.
b. Create or increase the liability of any person.
(f) The Legislature shall designate the second Saturday of each November as Operation Outdoor Freedom Day.
(g) The Florida Forest Service may adopt rules to administer this subsection.
History.—s. 2, ch. 16030, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-b); s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 27, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 35, ch. 2001-279; s. 33, ch. 2008-256; s. 1, ch. 2011-116; s. 42, ch. 2012-7; s. 43, ch. 2012-190; s. 21, ch. 2013-226.
589.20 Cooperation by Florida Forest Service.—The Florida Forest Service may cooperate with other state agencies, water management districts, municipalities, and other government entities in the designation and dedication of lands that are suitable for forestry purposes. Lands designated and dedicated by a state agency, water management district, municipality, or other government entity for forestry purposes shall be administered by the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 3, ch. 16030, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-c); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 43, ch. 2012-7; s. 147, ch. 2014-150.
589.21 Management to be for public interest.—All state forests and reforestation projects mentioned in this chapter shall be managed and administered by the Florida Forest Service in the interests of the public. If the public interests are not already safeguarded and clearly defined by law or by regulations adopted by the state agencies authorized by law to administer such lands, or in the papers formally transferring said projects to the Florida Forest Service for administration, then, and in that event, the Florida Forest Service may define the purpose of said project. Such definition of purposes shall be construed to have the authority of law.
History.—s. 4, ch. 16030, 1933; CGL 1936 Supp. 4151(10-d); ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 44, ch. 2012-7.
589.27 Power of eminent domain; procedure.—Whenever the Florida Forest Service shall find it necessary to acquire private property for state forests or rights-of-way for state forest roads, or for exercising any of the powers and duties authorized and prescribed by law to be exercised and performed by the Florida Forest Service, the Florida Forest Service is hereby empowered and authorized to exercise the right of eminent domain and to proceed to condemn said property in the same manner as provided by law for the condemnation of private property by counties.
History.—s. 1, ch. 20900, 1941; s. 28, ch. 29615, 1955; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 46, ch. 2012-7.
589.275 Planting of indigenous trees on state lands.—It is the intent of the Legislature to partially restore the character of the original domain of Florida by planting native trees on state lands, and to this end all state lands shall have a portion of such lands designated for indigenous trees, to be established and maintained by the using agency with the assistance of the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. If the Florida Forest Service, or primary managing agency, determines that any state lands are unsuitable for this purpose, such lands shall be exempt from this requirement.
History.—s. 1, ch. 77-101; s. 47, ch. 2012-7.
589.277 Tree planting programs.—
(1) The Florida Forest Service shall administer federal, state, and privately sponsored tree planting programs designed to assist private rural landowners and urban communities.
(2) Contributions from governmental and private sources for tree planting programs may be accepted into the Federal Grants Trust Fund or the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.
(3) The Florida Forest Service shall develop and implement guidelines and procedures under which the financial resources of the fund allocated for tree planting programs may be utilized for urban and rural reforestation.
(4) Grants to municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, and qualifying private landowners may be made from allocated moneys in the fund for the purpose of purchasing, planting, and maintaining native tree species.
(5) The Florida Forest Service shall assist the Department of Education in developing programs that teach the importance of trees in the urban, rural, and global environment.
History.—s. 1, ch. 90-304; s. 4, ch. 95-372; s. 20, ch. 2000-331; s. 9, ch. 2006-79; s. 48, ch. 2012-7; s. 44, ch. 2012-190.
589.28 County commissions or municipalities authorized to cooperate with Florida Forest Service.—County commissions or municipalities are authorized to cooperate with the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in providing assistance in forestry and forest-related knowledge and skills to stimulate the production of timber wealth through the proper use of forest land and to protect and improve the beauty of urban and suburban areas by helping to create in them an attractive and healthy environment through the proper use of trees and related plant associations. County commissions or municipalities are hereby authorized to appropriate funds and enter into cooperative agreements with the Florida Forest Service under the terms and conditions set forth in ss. 589.28-589.34.
History.—s. 1, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 71-183; s. 49, ch. 2012-7.
589.29 Quality of assistance.—Any advice and assistance provided under ss. 589.28-589.34 shall be the responsibility of the State Forester and the Florida Forest Service and shall be conducted under the supervision of a professional forester in an efficient and competent manner by personnel who have the required education, training and experience to accomplish the objectives of these sections.
History.—s. 2, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 2, ch. 71-183; s. 50, ch. 2012-7.
589.30 Duty of district or center manager.—It shall be the duty of the district or center manager to direct all work in accordance with the law and regulations of the Florida Forest Service; gather and disseminate information in the management of commercial timber, including establishment, protection and utilization; and assist in the development and use of forest lands for outdoor recreation, watershed protection, and wildlife habitat. The district or center manager or his or her representative shall provide encouragement and technical assistance to individuals and urban and county officials in the planning, establishment, and management of trees and plant associations to enhance the beauty of the urban and suburban environment and meet outdoor recreational needs.
History.—s. 3, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 3, ch. 71-183; s. 951, ch. 97-103; s. 51, ch. 2012-7; s. 22, ch. 2013-226.
589.31 Cooperative agreement.—Before any assistance is provided under this law, the county or municipality and the Florida Forest Service, through their duly constituted representatives, shall enter into a mutually satisfactory cooperative agreement covering the specific duties, and set up a budget for any fiscal period beginning July 1 and ending June 30, and the county’s or municipality’s share of the budget provided shall be turned over to the Florida Forest Service, one-half on or before July 1, and the remainder on or before January 1, and placed in the Incidental Trust Fund of the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 4, ch. 20899, 1941; s. 2, ch. 61-119; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 4, ch. 71-183; s. 52, ch. 2012-7.
589.32 Cost of providing county forestry assistance.—The cost of county forestry assistance provided under the provisions of ss. 589.28-589.34 shall be jointly determined and paid by the Florida Forest Service and the county commission or municipality and shall be not less than 40 percent of the cost of the equivalent of 1 person-year of assistance. However, the county or municipality share shall not exceed the sum of $3,000 per annum for each person-year of assistance provided.
History.—s. 5, ch. 20899, 1941; s. 1, ch. 63-399; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 5, ch. 71-183; s. 3, ch. 95-396; s. 952, ch. 97-103; s. 53, ch. 2012-7.
589.33 Expenditure of budgeted funds.—Any money budgeted for a fiscal period shall be expended by the Florida Forest Service during the period for which it was budgeted and amounts not expended or specifically obligated by contract or other legal procedure during that period shall be available for the next fiscal period or shall be returned to the Florida Forest Service and the county or municipality in the same proportions as appropriated. However, when 40 percent of the cost of 1 person-year of assistance equals or exceeds $3,000, then in that event all budget balance will revert to the Florida Forest Service.
History.—s. 6, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 6, ch. 71-183; s. 953, ch. 97-103; s. 54, ch. 2012-7.
589.34 Revocation of agreement.—Any agreement or revision thereof entered into by the Florida Forest Service and a county or municipality under the provisions of this law shall continue from year to year, unless written notice is given to the other party 30 days prior to July 1 of any year of the intention to discontinue the work and cancel the agreement.
History.—s. 7, ch. 20899, 1941; ss. 14, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 7, ch. 71-183; s. 55, ch. 2012-7.