77-5-204. Sale of timber -- fee for forest improvement. (1) The board may sell timber on state lands or other forest products removed from state lands, as provided in 77-5-214 through 77-5-219, at a per-unit price when, in the board's judgment, it is in the best interest of the state, provided that live timber is not sold for less than full market value.

(2) Timber sold or cut from state lands must be cut and removed under rules that may be prescribed by the board for standing timber preservation and fire prevention. In all cases, the board shall require the person cutting the timber to pile and burn or otherwise dispose of the brush and slash in the manner that may be prescribed by the board.

(3) Before the sale of timber is granted, the value of the timber must be appraised under the direction of the department, upon the request and subject to the approval of the board. An appraisal must show as nearly as possible the per-unit value, when appropriate, of all merchantable forest products.

(4) In addition to the price of the forest products established under subsection (1), the board may require a timber or other forest product purchaser to pay a fee for forest improvement unless the timber is to be harvested from land granted to the state pursuant to the Morrill Act of 1862, 7 U.S.C. 301 through 308, and the Morrill Act of 1890, 7 U.S.C. 321 through 329. Revenue from the fee must be deposited in the forest improvement account, established in 77-5-224, to the credit of the department and, as appropriated by the legislature, may be used only for:

(a) disposing of logging slash;

(b) acquiring access and maintaining roads necessary for timber harvesting on state lands;

(c) reforesting, thinning, and otherwise improving the condition and income potential of forested state lands; and

(d) complying with legal requirements for timber harvesting.