§ 2-10-4. State forest areas acquired from United States. (a) For the purpose of cooperating with the United States government in the proper utilization of lands in this state suitable for the maintenance of forest areas, the director of environmental management is authorized and empowered, with the approval of the governor and irrespective of any other provision of law, to acquire, without expense to the state except a nominal consideration, by deed or lease from, or by agreement with, the United States or any authorized agency of the United States, lands or interests in lands in this state which in the judgment of the director and the governor are suitable for use for the purpose of, or in connection with, the establishment or maintenance of state forests or forest areas, and to use those lands or interests in lands so acquired, or to cause them to be used, for general forest demonstration and experimental purposes and in any other ways that in the judgment of the director and the governor will be most suitable for state forests or forest areas and will best promote the public good.

(b)(1) The director is authorized and empowered to sell or otherwise dispose of products from state forests or forest areas, and to make any rules and regulations that may be necessary in connection with the land.

(2)(i) Revenues received from state forests and forest areas shall be turned over to the general treasurer and placed in a fund to be known as the state forestry fund.

(ii) A special record shall be kept as to those revenues when there is an obligation in connection with those revenues to reimburse the United States, and payment shall be made to the United States in accordance with the terms of the agreement entered into between the director and the United States.

(3) When the purchase price, which shall not exceed the amount expended by the United States in the acquisition of the lands, has been repaid, title to the lands shall be taken in the name of the state.

(4) Revenues received from state forests or forest areas beyond those required to reimburse the United States shall be expended for the maintenance and development of state forests and forest areas whenever the agreement between the director and the United States requires it.

(c) Obligations for the acquisition of lands under the authority of this chapter shall be paid solely from revenues derived from those lands, and shall not impose any liability on the general credit and taxing power of the state. Revenues received from state forests and forest areas, where there is no obligation to reimburse the United States, shall be deposited in a fund known as the state forestry fund.

(d) All deeds, contracts and other agreements in connection with the transfer of state forests or forest areas shall be approved as to form by the attorney general.

(e) All civil and criminal processes issued under the authority of this state or of any department or officer of this state may be served and executed on state forests or forest areas and in any buildings or structures in state forests or forest areas.

History of Section. (G.L. 1923, ch. 280, § 9; P.L. 1935, ch. 2262, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 223, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 2-10-4; P.L. 1992, ch. 133, art. 23, § 1.)