# § 6553. Accelerated information gathering regarding forest-damaging insects
**(a)** **Information gathering** 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)** **Cooperation and assistance** 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.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 108–148, title IV, § 403, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1909.)