(1) The department may fund a forest restoration pilot project or any other district created under this part to implement this part. The forest restoration pilot project may consist of the establishment and funding of the forest improvement district formed under this part.
  (2) The department may fund the pilot project or any other district created pursuant to this part from funds appropriated annually by the legislature and from the following sources:

Terms Used In Michigan Laws 324.50108

  • Department: means the director of the department of natural resources or his or her designee to whom the director delegates a power or duty by written instrument. See Michigan Laws 324.301
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  (a) General fund of the state.
  (b) Grants from the federal government.
  (c) Grants or gifts from private persons.
  (d) Any other permissible source.
  (3) When allocating available funds among proposed pilot projects, the department shall consider those projects that in its judgment will produce the greatest public benefit, giving consideration to all of the following factors:
  (a) The need to demonstrate the potential commercial benefits of forest practices that can be recognized by the establishment of a forest improvement district.
  (b) The need to demonstrate the potential benefits to long-term production, maintenance, and enhancement of the total forest resource system.