Section 12-6-16. Director -- Control of tree diseases and insect infestation

   (a) Whenever the director or his agents determine that there exists an infestation of forest insect pests or an infection of forest tree diseases, injurious or potentially injurious to the timber or forest trees within the state, and that the infestation or infection is of such a character as to be a menace to the timber or forest growth of the state, the director shall declare the existence of a zone of infestation or infection and shall declare and fix boundaries so as to definitely describe and identify such zone of infestation or infection. The director or his agents shall give notice in writing by mail or otherwise to each forest landowner within the designated control zone advising him of the nature of the infestation or infection and the recommended control measures and offering him technical advice on methods of carrying out controls.

(b) The director shall have the power, by rule or regulation, to declare and define areas of quarantine and to prescribe all needful rules and regulations relating thereto. Any person violating any such rule or regulation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. The director or any other person is empowered to institute action in his name to enjoin any practice in violation of such rules or regulations, without regard to whether such practices would under general law constitute a nuisance and without regard to whether an adequate remedy exists at law. The commission or any of its duly authorized agents or anyone acting at their direction shall have authority at all times to enter upon any lands for the purposes of making investigations and otherwise carrying out this Code section, without incurring liability for trespassing.

Ga. L. 1955, p. 309, § 25.