ยง 225. Wood products development council. 1. There is hereby
established within the department a wood products development council.
Such council shall consist of the commissioner, the commissioners of
environmental conservation and economic development, or their designees,
and ten other persons to be appointed by the governor, including one
member on the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate;
one member on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly; one
member on the recommendation of the minority leader of the senate; and
one member on the recommendation of the minority leader of the assembly.
Of the members so appointed, at least one member shall be a sawmill
owner, one member shall be a secondary wood products manufacturer, one
member shall be a logger, one member shall be a maple syrup producer,
one member shall be a commercial forest owner, one member shall be a
nonindustrial forest owner, one member shall be a representative of a
statewide forest industry organization, and one member shall be a
representative of a statewide forest landowners association. Members
shall be appointed for a term of three years and may serve until their
successors are chosen, provided, however, that of the members first
appointed, three shall serve for a term of one year, three shall serve
for a term of two years, and four shall serve for a term of three years.
The governor shall select a member of the council to serve as
chairperson. Council members shall not receive compensation for their
services, but may be paid their actual and necessary expenses incurred
in serving upon the council.
2. The council shall work with wood-using manufacturers to increase
the economic contributions and employment opportunities related to the
practice of forestry and manufacture of wood products in New York state.
The council shall give priority to increasing private investment in
working forests; maintaining access to working and family forests;
coordinating policy and permitting issues with state agencies, academia
and the private sector; working to improve public understanding of and
appreciation for forestry and forest products; and increasing export and
market opportunities for New York forest products. The council shall
deliver an annual report outlining its work and making recommendations
with regard to economic development and marketing initiatives and
research and development initiatives consistent with the purposes of the
council. The report shall be delivered to the governor, the speaker of
the assembly, the temporary president of the senate, the minority leader
of the assembly and the minority leader of the senate.
3. The department shall provide necessary support services to the
council, including, within funds available, the appointment of an
executive director to coordinate the work of the council.