2-1334.   Control and eradication of sericealespedeza; research and demonstration efforts.(a) The purpose of this act is to provide for the coordination, enhancement andcontinuation of federal, state and local efforts as well as public and privateefforts to develop an effective and affordable method of controlling oreradicating sericea lespedeza and to encourage communication of informationabout sericea control methods to landowners and land managers.

      (b)   The secretary of agriculture in cooperation with the secretary ofwildlife and parks shall designate an appropriate parcel of land as a researcharea to study and demonstrate methods of controlling or eradicating sericealespedeza. Such site shall be designated on land managed by the department ofwildlife and parks at toronto lake and shall be utilized to provide a focalpoint for activities that further the purposes of this act.

      (c)   The research and demonstration efforts conducted on the site designatedas provided in subsection (b) shall include a variety of methods used tocontrol or eradicate sericea lespedeza and shall include utilization ofexperiment and demonstration plots and development of field days and workshopsto demonstrate methods of control or eradication of sericea lespedeza.

      (d)   The secretary of agriculture and the secretary of wildlife and parksshall have authority to request assistance from any federal, state or localauthority, from any public or private university or other research institution,from any business organization, or from any individual in furthering thepurposes of this act. All such entities are hereby requested to cooperate withthe secretary of agriculture and the secretary of wildlife and parks infurthering the purposes of this act.

      History:   L. 2002, ch. 28, § 1;L. 2004, ch. 96, § 2; July 1.