FORESTRY COMMISSION. 133 



FOREST CO^MMISSIOX A('T, 1809. 



The following is the text of the forestry act under which the Michi- 

 gan Forestry Commission is working : 



An act to provide a permanent Forestry Commission for the State of 

 ^Michigan, to define its powers and duties, and to provide for expenses. 



Section 1. The People of the State of Michigan enact, A commision. 

 to consist of three meunbers is hereby constituted, one the Commis- 

 sioner of the State Land Oflice, and two to be chosen by the Governor 

 by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; one of whom shall 

 hold his ofHce for tlie term of two ye;irs and one for four years. The 

 appointment shall date from July first, eighteen hundred ninety-nine. 

 The term of the Commissioner of the State Land Office as a member of 

 this commission shall be co-extensive with his term as Commissioner of 

 the State Land Office. At the expiration of the terms of the appointive 

 members their successors shall be appointed, each for a term of four 

 years. Such commission shall elect one of its members president, an- 

 other member secretary. It shall maintain its office and records in the 

 capitol at Lansing in. the State Land Office, and shall serve without 

 compensation, but shall be entitled to traveling and other expenses 

 while on business relating to the work of the commission. Also all 

 necessary cost of postage, stationery and printing and other incidental 

 expenses : I'rovided, That the secretary may be paid such amount as the 

 commission may determine, not to exceed three hundred dollars per 

 annum : And provided further. That all accounts shall be audited by 

 the State Board of Auditors. 



Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of such Forestry Commission to institute 

 inquiry into the extent, kind, value and condition of the timber lands 

 of the State; the amount of acres and value of timber that is cut and 

 removed each year, and the purposes for which it is used; the extent 

 to which the timber lands are being destroyed by fires, used by waste- 

 ful cutting for consumption, lumbering, or for the purpose of clearing 

 the land for tillage. It shall also inquire as to the effect of the diminu- 

 tion of timber and wooded surface of this State in lessening the rain- 

 fall and producing droughts, and the effects upon the ponds, rivers, 

 lakes and the water power and harbors of the State, and affecting the 

 climate and disturbing and deteriorating natural conditions. It shall 

 also examine into the production, quantity and quality of second-growth 

 timber and note and report upon, all facts, improvements and changes 

 in reference thereto ; also as to the condition, protection and improve- 

 ment of denuded stump, swamp and overflowed lands, and what means 

 it may deem expedient in carrying into full effect the intent and pur- 

 pose of this act. The commission shall recommend to the Legislature, 

 in the year nineteen hundred one, within ten days from its opening, 



