Essential Insights on Forestry Management in Oklahoma
Hello, I’m Oklahoma City attorney Dillan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and I practice primarily in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area. Today, we’re going to talk about the management of forestry and forestry education programs in the state of Oklahoma.
When it comes to forestry—meaning the repopulation of trees and management of natural forest systems in Oklahoma—or the education connected to it, the State Department of Agriculture is the agency involved. By law, the actions and programs they carry out must be in the best interest of the public. They cannot operate for the benefit of private corporations or individuals. The work must serve the public good.
The Legal Framework of Forestry Programs
You can find the law that governs this under Title 2, Section 16-70, titled Management to Be for the Public Interest. This statute outlines several key areas under forestry division oversight, including:
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- State forests,
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- Forest management programs,
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- Nursery production,
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- Reforestation,
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- Urban forestry,
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- Educational activities, and
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- Other forestry-related endeavors.
All of these must be managed and administered by the State Board of Agriculture strictly for public benefit. If you find that any of these programs are being used to benefit private entities or individuals, it’s a violation of the law. In that case, you should report it to the appropriate authorities, such as higher-level officials in the forestry division or the Department of Agriculture.
Protecting Public Interest in Forestry
This may be especially relevant for individuals in more rural parts of Oklahoma, but ideally, these programs are not being abused. Just know they are designed to benefit the general public. If you’re someone who wants to request a program—whether for education, nursery production, or reforestation—you now know where to go: the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. They may be able to offer or develop something that helps your community or your area.
If you found this video helpful, or believe it could help someone else, please go to theoklahomacityattorney.com. My name is Dillan Savage, and I’m the Oklahoma City business law attorney with Wirth Law Office. Thank you for watching.
Schedule a Low-Cost Consultation
If you have any questions regarding forestry programs or legal matters, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call me at 405-888-5400 for a low-cost consultation!
