Ohio Code § 1503.03

§ 1503.03.

The chief of the division of forestry shall cooperate with all state operated universities

and the department of agriculture.  The chief, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may purchase

or acquire by gift, donations, or contributions any interest in land suitable for

forestry purposes.  The chief may enter into agreements with the federal government or other agencies

for the acquisition, by lease, purchase, or otherwise, of such lands as in the judgment

of the chief and director are desirable for state forests, building sites, or nursery

lands.  The chief may expend funds, not otherwise obligated, for the management, development,

and utilization of such lands. The chief, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may acquire by

lease, purchase, gift, or otherwise, in the name of the state, forested or other lands

in the state suitable for the growth of forest trees to the amount of the appropriation

for that purpose.  The chief shall prepare and submit to the director of natural resources maps and

descriptions of such areas including and adjacent to the existing state forest lands,

the lands within which, not at the time belonging to the state, are properly subject

to purchase as state forest lands for reasons of protection, utilization, and administration.  When such an area is approved by the director of natural resources, it shall be

known as a state forest purchase area and the map and description, with the approval

of the director of natural resources indorsed thereon, shall be filed in duplicate

with the director of administrative services and the attorney general. All lands purchased for forest purposes shall be deeded to the state, but the purchase

price of such lands shall not be paid until the title thereof has been approved by

the attorney general.  The price of such lands shall not exceed the appropriation for such purposes.