The Department shall divide the State into convenient districts, having due regard for the character and extent of the timber stand, similarity of forest problems, convenience of administration, and other pertinent factors. It shall establish, by appointment, in each district created, a district forestry board of at least five members. The appointments to the district forestry board shall include, if possible, a person representing each of the major types of forestry and woodworking interests, and at least one person representing farm woodland owners preferably connected with a county farm bureau or grange in the district. If there are any county agricultural agents and county foresters representing areas lying within the district, they shall have the privilege of participating, without a vote, in the board meeting.
The term of membership on the board is three years. A member serves until his successor is appointed and qualified. Within 30 days of their appointment, and regularly thereafter, the members of the district forestry board shall meet and elect a chairman and vice-chairman to serve for a term of two years. The Department may discontinue district boards for cause at any time. The Department shall employ and assign to each board a forester who, in addition to his other duties, serves as secretary and executive officer of the board. Each member of the board shall receive expenses while engaged in the performance of his official duties. The Department shall determine the compensation of the forester. Any compensation payable to and any expense incurred by a district board shall be paid out of funds made available under the provisions of this subtitle.