The department may purchase nursery stock and seed, and may distribute stock or seed for the following purposes:
(a)
Public planting or reforestation of public lands, giving emphasis to forest and watershed land which has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes.
(b)
Restoration of native tree and plant species threatened with extinction.
(c)
Establishment of experimental plantations of Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew) for the purpose of research related to taxol in the treatment of cancer.
(d)
Soil erosion control, watershed protection, or farm windbreaks.
(e)
The production of forest products and farm woodlot products on private lands.