1. A. The director of the forestry division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department is the "state forester" and shall be paid a salary, set by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources.
2. B. No individual may be appointed as the state forester unless the individual is, by reason of scientific education and experience, knowledgeable in the principles of forest management.

History: 1953 Comp., § 62-3-3, enacted by Laws 1959, ch. 122, § 3; 1977, ch. 254, § 76; 1978 Comp., § 68-2-3; 1987, ch. 234, § 45; 2023, ch. 64, § 3.

ANNOTATIONS

Cross references. — For establishment of the energy, minerals, and natural resources department, see 9-5A-3 NMSA 1978.

For appointment of director, see 9-5A-6 NMSA 1978.

For transfer of radio communication property to communications division of the general services department, see 15-2-5 NMSA 1978.

The 2023 amendment, effective June 16, 2023, removed references to the repealed forest conservation fund, and removed references to the state forestry division seal; in the section heading, deleted "Seal"; and in Subsection A, after "natural resources", deleted "to be paid from the forest conservation fund. The division shall adopt a seal and such seal affixed to any paper signed by the state forester shall be prima facie evidence of the due execution thereof".

Law reviews. — For note, "Forest Fire Protection on Public and Private Lands in New Mexico," see 4 Nat. Resources J. 374 (1964).

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 52 Am. Jur. 2d Logs and Timber § 61.

98 C.J.S. Woods and Forests § 13.