Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 63 Part 1.djvu/311

 63 STAT.] 81ST CONG., 1sT SESS.-CH. 246 -JUNE 25, 1949 ARTICLE IV It shall be the duty of the Commission to make inquiry and ascer- tain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about the prevention and control of forest fires in the area comprising the member states, to coordinate the forest fire plans and the work of the appropriate agencies of the member states and to facilitate the rendering of aid by the member states to each other in fighting forest fires. The Commission shall formulate and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revise a regional forest fire plan for the entire region covered by the compact which shall serve as a common forest fire plan for that area. The Commission shall, more than one month prior to any regular meeting of the legislature in any signatory state, present to the gov- ernor and to the legislature of the state its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by the legislature of that state in furthering the interests and purposes of this compact. The Commission shall consult with and advise the appropriate administrative agencies of the states party hereto with regard to problems connected with the prevention and control of forest fires and recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable. The Commission shall have power to recommend to the signatory states any and all measures that will effectuate the prevention and control of forest fires. ARTICLE V Any two or more member states may designate the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission as a joint agency to maintain such common services as those states deem desirable for the prevention and control of forest fires. Except in those cases where all member states join in such designation for common services, the representatives of any group of such designating states in the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Commission shall constitute a separate section of such Commission for the performance of the common service or services so designated provided that, if any additional expense is involved, the states so acting shall appropriate the necessary funds for this purpose. The creation of such a section as a joint agency shall not affect the privileges, powers, responsibilities or duties of the states participating therein as embodied in the other articles of this compact. ARTICLE VI The Commission may request the United States Forest Service to U.. Fore act as the primary research and coordinating agency of the North- eastern Forest Fire Protection Commission, in cooperation with the appropriate agencies in each state and the United States Forest Serv- ice may accept the initial responsibility in preparing and presenting to the Commission its recommendations with respect to the regional fire plan. Representatives of the United States Forest Service may attend meetings of the Commission and of groups of member states. ARTICLE VII The Commission shall annually elect from its members a chairman and a vice-chairman. The Commission shall appoint such officers or employees as may be required to carry the provisions of this compact into effect, shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and com- pensation, and may at its pleasure, remove or discharge any such 81939-50- -T. I- --18

�