4681-4685
PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE
SECTION 4681-4685
4681. State nurseries shall be maintained under the management of the department for all of the following purposes: (a) Operation of a state seed bank to provide facilities for the processing and storage of adequate supplies of high-quality seed necessary to protect the genetic integrity and diversity of forest tree and plant species, giving emphasis to those native species threatened with extinction. (b) Reforestation of public and private lands, giving preference to forest land which has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes. (c) Production for sale of tree seedlings planted for purposes of meeting resource conservation standards required pursuant to Section 4561 and the rules and regulations of the board. For this purpose, the department shall take whatever steps are necessary to ensure to the maximum degree feasible that the seedlings are adapted to the planting site, and represent an appropriate diversity of forest species. (d) Propagation and distribution of tree seedlings of the species Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) for research related to taxol in the treatment of cancer. 4682. The department shall construct and maintain such buildings, improvements, and equipment, and shall employ and fix the compensation of such employees as may be necessary to carry out this article. 4683. The department may purchase nursery stock and seed, and may distribute stock or seed for the following purposes: (a) Public planting or reforestation of public lands, giving emphasis to forest and watershed land which has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes. (b) Restoration of native tree and plant species threatened with extinction. (c) Establishment of experimental plantations of Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) for the purpose of research related to taxol in the treatment of cancer. (d) Soil erosion control, watershed protection, or farm windbreaks. (e) The production of forest products and farm woodlot products on private lands. 4684. Trees, plants, nursery stock, and seeds which are sold pursuant to this article shall be sold at prices that are established by the department and approved by the board. 4684.5. Notwithstanding Section 4684, the director may give such forest seedlings or native plants for the purposes of reforestation or soil erosion control at the end of each season's sales as are, in his determination, surplus, to private persons or nonprofit organizations for planting on state, federal, or other public property. Any person or nonprofit organization requesting such surplus forest seedlings or native plants shall provide such information as the director determines is necessary to insure that the forest seedlings or native plants will be planted on public property and that they are sufficiently compatible with the proposed planting area to have a reasonable chance for survival. 4685. The Governor, on behalf of the state, may receive all conveyances or donations of real or personal property necessary to vest in the state the title to any site for a state nursery and to any equipment and supplies that are donated for a state nursery.