13:1B-15.174 Responsibilities of department.

5. a. The department shall:

(1) Establish criteria for the planting of milkweed in stormwater management basins on State-owned lands;

(2) Develop a packet of information and instructions and, within the limits of funds made available therefor, provide seeds and other planting materials, for use by program volunteers in planting milkweed in stormwater management basins in accordance with this act;

(3) Coordinate with program volunteers and appropriate local government officials in arranging for the planting of milkweed in stormwater management basins throughout the State;

(4) Advertise and promote the "Milkweed for Monarchs" program, and develop and utilize such slogans, symbols, and mascots as the department may deem appropriate for such purposes;

(5) In consultation with the Department of Education and citizen, educational, and environmental groups, prepare educational materials on the decline in the monarch butterfly population and the ways in which all residents can create and conserve monarch butterfly habitats, and distribute these educational materials to school districts and public interest organizations;

(6) Create and maintain a list of stormwater management basins on State-owned lands where the planting of milkweed would be both beneficial and feasible; and

(7) Issue to each program volunteer an adoption certificate and, within the limits of funds made available therefor, provide a sign indicating the name of the participating group, organization, business, or individual for placement, if not otherwise prohibited by law or municipal ordinance, at an appropriate point on the stormwater management basin, or at such other point as the department may prescribe.

b. The department may charge program volunteers a reasonable fee to cover the reasonable costs of any information and instruction packets, seeds and other planting materials, certificates, and signs distributed.

L.2017, c.252, s.5.