Forestry and Fire Prevention Division
Active dates:1925-1931
Function: The Division was in charge of the care, management, and preservation of the state's forest preserves and future growths, and of money appropriated or collected for that purpose. It was also responsible for ascertaining and implementing the best methods of reforestation, fire prevention, and general conservation of forests.
History:
All of the powers and duties of the former Forestry Board and the state forester were transferred to the commissioner of forestry and fire prevention by the Reorganization Act of 1925 (Laws 1925 c426). This act actually created a Department of Conservation under the direction of the first Conservation Commission, although each of the divisions (Forestry and Fire Prevention, Game and Fish, and Lands and Timber) seem to have retained autonomy as separate departments in their own right. The commissioner of forestry and fire prevention was appointed by the governor for two years and was chairman of the Conservation Commission. He was charged with enforcing the forestry and fire prevention laws of the state. The Forestry and Fire Prevention Department was also in charge of the care, management, and preservation of the state's forest preserves and future growths, and of money appropriated or collected for that purpose. It was also responsible for ascertaining and implementing the best methods of reforestation, fire prevention, and general conservation of forests. The commissioner cooperated with the state auditor, state Highway Commission, and other departments in matters relating to forestry and fire prevention. Both the first Conservation Commission and the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention were abolished by the 1931 law that created the second Conservation Commission (Laws 1931 c186). This law also created a Conservation Department which centralized all of the state's natural resource and conservation agencies into one department. All of the powers and duties of the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention were transferred to the Division of Forestry in the new department, under the immediate charge of a director of forestry.
Agency heads:
Commissioner of forestry and fire prevention: Grover M. Conzet, 1925-1931
Record last updated:
07/27/2011
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