The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, under such regulations as he may prescribe:
((a)) To hire or rent property from employees of the Forest Service for the use of that Service whenever the public interest will be promoted thereby.
((b)) To provide forage, care, and housing for animals, and storage for vehicles and other equipment obtained by the Forest Service for the use of that service from employees.
((c)) To contract with public and private agencies, corporations, firms, associations, or individuals to train, provide forage, care, and housing for, and to work pack stock owned and held in reserve by the Forest Service for fire emergency purposes and as all or part of the consideration therefor to permit such contractors to use the stock for their own purposes during the periods of nonuse by the Forest Service.
((d)) To reimburse owners for loss, damage, or destruction of horses, vehicles, and other equipment obtained by the Forest Service for the use of that service from employees or other private owners: , That payments or reimbursements herein authorized may be made from the applicable appropriations for the Forest Service: , That except for fire fighting emergencies no reimbursement herein authorized shall be made in an amount in excess of $50 to persons who were employees of the Forest Service prior to the time the equipment was obtained or $2,500 in any other case, unless the equipment was made available under a written agreement, contract, or lease.