MS HB1654

Appropriates $16,295,079.00 from the State General Fund and $13,387,635.00 from special funds to the State Forestry Commission for fiscal year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017.

Authorizes 450 permanent full-time positions, 2 permanent part-time positions, and 7 time-limited full-time positions for the agency.

Establishes three revolving funds: the Forest Improvement Revolving Fund ($250,000), the Volunteer Fire Department Equipment Conversion Revolving Fund (up to $50,000), and the Camden State Forest Revolving Fund for timber sales and forest management activities.

Directs transfer of $200,000 from special funds to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce for a Beaver Control or Eradication Program.

Sets performance targets including 2.00 hours average fire suppression time, 21,080 acres in prescribed burn program, 97% of fires suppressed at 100 acres or less, and forest inventory re-inventory goals of 20% of regions.