(1)
(a) In this section, “state forest land” means all forested lands owned by this state and under the jurisdiction of the department.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), the chief state forester may declare, and shall manage, emergencies that threaten state forest lands. The department shall promulgate rules specifying those emergencies over which the chief state forester shall have management responsibility. The emergencies specified in the rules shall include invasive species or pest infestation, disease, and damage to timber from fire, snow, hail, ice, or wind.
(c) Paragraph (b) does not apply to a state of emergency declared by the governor under s. 323.10 and does not supersede the authority of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under ch. 94.
(2) The chief state forester shall report directly to the secretary of the department.