§20-3-22. Compact administration; advisory committee.

In pursuance of article three of said compact, the director of the department of natural resources of the State of West Virginia or his designated representative shall act as compact administrator for the State of West Virginia of the southeastern interstate forest fire protection compact during his term of office as director, and his successor as compact administrator shall be his successor as director. As compact administrator he shall be an ex officio member of the advisory committee of the southeastern interstate forest fire protection compact, and chairman ex officio of the West Virginia members of said advisory committee. There shall be four members of the southeastern interstate forest fire protection compact advisory committee from the State of West Virginia. Two of the members from the State of West Virginia shall be members of the Legislature of West Virginia, one from the Senate and one from the House of Delegates, designated by the state's commission on interstate cooperation, and the terms of any such members shall terminate at the time they cease to hold legislative office, and their successors as members shall be named in like manner. The Governor shall appoint the other two members from the State of West Virginia, one of whom shall be associated with forestry or forest products industries. Such members shall hold office until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring in the office of such members for any reason or cause shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired term. The director as compact administrator may delegate, from time to time, to any deputy or other subordinate in his department or office, the power to be present and participate, including voting as his representative or substitute at any meeting of or hearing by or other proceeding of the compact administrators or of the advisory committee. The terms of each of the initial four memberships of the advisory committee, whether appointed at said time or not, shall begin upon the date upon which said compact shall become effective in accordance with article two of said compact. Any member of said advisory committee may be removed from office by the Governor upon charges and after a hearing.