§ 113A-179. Powers and duties.

§ 113A‑179.  Powersand duties.

(a)        The Secretary shall have the powers and duties to administerthe provisions of this Article.

(b)        The Department shall serve as the disbursing agency forfunds to be expended from and deposited to the credit of the Forest DevelopmentFund.

(c)        Subject to the limitations set forth in G.S. 113A‑183(d),the Secretary is authorized to employ administrative, clerical and fieldpersonnel to support the program created by this Article and to compensate suchemployees from the Forest Development Fund for services rendered in directsupport of the program.

(d)        The Secretary is authorized to purchase equipment for theimplementation of this program from the Forest Development Fund subject to thelimitations of G.S. 113A‑183(e). All equipment purchased with these fundswill be assigned to and used only for the forest development program, exceptfor emergency use in forest fire suppression and other activities relating tothe protection of life or property. The Forest Development Fund will bereimbursed from other program funds for equipment costs incurred during suchemergency use. (1977, c. 562, s.4.)