White oak research

(a) Research The Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with a land-grant college or university to conduct research on— (1) white oak genes with resistance and stress tolerance; (2) white oak trees that exhibit vigor for the purpose of increasing survival and growth; (3) establishing a diverse white oak seed bank capable of responding to stressors; (4) providing a sustainable supply of white oak seedlings and genetic resources; (5) reforestation of white oak through natural and artificial regeneration; and (6) the best methods for white oak reforestation on abandoned mine land sites. (b) Consultation In carrying out the research under subsection (a), the land-grant college or university may consult with such States, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and other scientific bodies as the land-grant college or university determines to be appropriate.