(a) There is established the Council on Forestry.
(b) The Council on Forestry shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Division of Production and Promotion and shall consider matters relating to the protection of state forest lands from fire, disease and insect damage including the application of control measures, the establishment of forest growth on denuded or nonforested lands and such other matters as may be referred to it by the Governor, Secretary of the Department or Director of the Division of Production and Promotion. The Council may also study, research, plan and advise the Director, the Secretary and the Governor on matters it deems appropriate to enable the Division to function in the best possible manner.
(c) The Council on Forestry shall be composed of 7 members who shall be appointed for 3-year terms by the Governor.
(d) At least 3, but no more than 4 of the members of the Council shall be affiliated with 1 of the major political parties and at least 2, but no more than 3, of the members of the Council shall be affiliated with the other major political party; provided, however, there shall be no more than a bare majority representation of 1 major political party over the other major political party. Any person who declines to announce a political affiliation shall also be eligible for appointment as a member of the Council.
(e) Members of the Council shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incident to their duties as members of the Council.
(f) A Chairperson of the Council shall be chosen by the members of the Council from among its members, and shall serve in that capacity for a term of 1 year and shall be eligible for reelection.
(g) Any replacement appointment to the Council to fill a vacancy prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled for the remainder of the term.