§ 6553. Accelerated information gathering regarding forest-damaging insects

• (a) The Secretary, acting through the Forest Service and United States Geological Survey, as appropriate, shall establish an accelerated program—
  • (1) to plan, conduct, and promote comprehensive and systematic information gathering on forest-damaging insects and associated diseases, including an evaluation of—
    • (A) infestation prevention and suppression methods;
    • (B) effects of infestations and associated disease interactions on forest ecosystems;
    • (C) restoration of forest ecosystem efforts;
    • (D) utilization options regarding infested trees; and
    • (E) models to predict the occurrence, distribution, and impact of outbreaks of forest-damaging insects and associated diseases;
  • (2) to assist land managers in the development of treatments and strategies to improve forest health and reduce the susceptibility of forest ecosystems to severe infestations of forest-damaging insects and associated diseases on Federal land and State and private land; and
  • (3) to disseminate the results of the information gathering, treatments, and strategies.
• (b) The Secretary shall—
  • (1) establish and carry out the program in cooperation with—
    • (A) scientists from colleges and universities (including forestry schools, land grant colleges and universities, and 1890 Institutions);
    • (B) Federal, State, and local agencies; and
    • (C) private and industrial landowners; and
  • (2) designate such colleges and universities to assist in carrying out the program.