HB 2488

Abstract

Amends the State Forest Act. Provides that plants and plant materials secured or produced shall be used exclusively for conservation purposes, such as for wildlife habitat, erosion control, energy conservation, natural community restoration, general reforestation, research, commemorative plantings, and educational programs such as Arbor Day unless otherwise agreed through a memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Green Industry Association which would allow the sale of plants as liner stock. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may cooperate with any person or group desirous of establishing plants or plant materials for conservation plantings by selling (rather than furnishing) trees, shrubs, flower seeds, (rather than seeds) or other materials where deemed necessary or desirable. Provides that plants and plant materials may be provided, upon approval of a written management plan, to individual landowners, State agencies and institutions, local governments, civic groups and others for conservation plantings but shall be sold at a price approximately equal to the cost of acquisition or production and distribution (rather than without charge). Provides that plants and plant materials may be provided to government agencies and institutions, organized groups or individuals for special conservation plantings, research plantings, educational purposes and commemorative plantings but shall be sold at a price approximately equal to the cost of acquisition or production and distribution (rather than without charge). Provides that products such as Christmas trees, roundwood and other materials derived from State distributed plants or plant materials may be utilized, sold or removed, except that no such plants shall be resold, bartered or given away and removed alive with the roots attached unless otherwise agreed through a memorandum of understanding with the Illinois Green Industry Association which would allow the sale of plants as liner stock.