citation: PRC § 4771

text:
(a) On January 1, 2022, the task force, including, but not limited to, the Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Planning and Research, and the department, in coordination with the relevant lead federal, state, local, and tribal agencies, shall develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the state’s “Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan” issued by the task force in January 2021.

(b) The implementation strategy required by subdivision (a) shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of lead agencies and a description of the activities completed and still necessary to achieve the goals and key actions identified in the state’s “Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.” Implementation that is appropriate to the state’s different regions shall be included in the strategy.

(c) The implementation strategy required by subdivision (a) shall, in addition to the contents identified in subdivision (b), address all of the following actions:

(1) Increasing the pace and scale of wildfire and forest resilience activities. This includes all of the following:

(A) A joint strategy to annually treat 500,000 acres of federal land and 500,000 acres of nonfederal land by 2025. The type of the treatments shall be monitored, tracked, and reported pursuant to subdivision (e).

(B) A comprehensive strategy, developed in partnership with state agencies that own state land, to expand forest management and improve the health and resilience of forested state lands.

(C) A comprehensive program to coordinate and align state and federal assistance programs for small private landowners, including grant programs, stewardship education workshops, and postfire rapid response teams.

(D) A strategic action plan to expand the use of prescribed fire.

(E) Expansion of the Department of Conservation’s Regional Fire and Forest Capacity Program through the development of a statewide network of regional forest and community fire resilience plans.

(F) A comprehensive statewide reforestation strategy.

(G) A permit synchronization plan to align permitting under the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4511)) and forest practice rules and regulations adopted by the board with relevant permitting and regulatory requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board, the applicable regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The permit synchronization plan shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that the board, the department, the State Water Resources Control Board, the applicable regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife align their permitting requirements in order to reduce regulatory barriers for fire prevention and forest resilience activities.

(H) A science-based review and recommendations to guide and inform state investments and regional strategies on actions needed to improve the health and fire resilience of chaparral, shrublands, and surrounding communities.

(2) Strengthening the protection of communities and reducing their fire risk, including all of the following:

(A) A statewide framework, including performance measures, to support local and regional community fire risk reduction and adaptation programs and projects.

(B) Development and maintenance of a network of more than 500 fuel break projects across the state.

(C) Expansion and modernization of existing defensible space and home hardening programs, particularly targeting high fire threat communities, including, but not limited to, inclusion of the ember-resistant zone and assistance programs for defensible space and home hardening, with priority given to the most vulnerable communities in the state.

(D) Strengthening of investor-owned utility wildfire mitigation plans.

(E) A framework for collaborative fuels reduction projects to protect roadway travelers and communities along highways, and to reduce roadside ignitions along primary and secondary emergency evacuation routes.

(F) A Smoke Ready California campaign to provide coordinated messaging and content to help Californians plan for and protect themselves from wildfire smoke impacts.

(3) Creating a sustainable wood products market in California, including both of the following:

(A) A comprehensive framework and market strategy to align the state’s wood use policies and priorities, and to create economic opportunities for the use of forest materials that store carbon, reduce emissions, and contribute to sustainable local economies.

(B) A catalyst fund to provide low-cost financing for businesses that use forest biomass and encourage private sector innovation.

(4) Sustaining and expanding outdoor recreation on forestland, including both of the following:

(A) Updating the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

(B) Creating a joint strategy with the United States Forest Service to expand sustainable recreation across the state’s forested regions, emphasizing equitable access to underserved communities and rural recreation-dependent communities.

(5) Protecting and expanding urban canopy and forestry, including a comprehensive program, with regional targets, to significantly increase California’s urban tree canopy, targeting disadvantaged and low-income communities and low-canopy areas.

(6) Driving innovation and measuring progress in achieving these goals, including both of the following:

(A) An applied research plan.

(B) A forest data hub to serve as a multiple institutional clearinghouse for supporting, integrating, evaluating, and synthesizing reporting and monitoring efforts.

(d) In developing the implementation strategy required by subdivision (a), the task force shall seek to coordinate and integrate the implementation strategy with the key goals and priorities of all of the following frameworks:

(1) The Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, the Pathways to 30x30 Document, and biodiversity strategies, all developed pursuant to Executive Order No. N-82-20.

(2) The state’s climate adaptation strategy, known as the Safeguarding California Plan, adopted pursuant to Section 71153.

(3) The 2022 scoping plan update, and subsequent updates, developed pursuant to the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code).

(4) Any other related natural resources policy frameworks.

(e) (1) On or before January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter on or before March 1, until March 1, 2048, the task force shall submit, as part of the implementation strategy required pursuant to subdivision (a), a report to the appropriate policy and budget committees of the Legislature on progress made in achieving the goals and key actions identified in the state’s “Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan,” on state expenditures made to implement these key actions, and on additional resources and policy changes needed to achieve these goals and key actions.

(2) (A) The annual report described in paragraph (1) shall also include information on the prior year’s acreage treatment goals, including treatment described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), to (i) ensure compliance with the goals and (ii) assess annually additional resource requirements to achieve those goals. Metrics for reporting shall include total acres treated, type of treatment, level of risk for catastrophic fires within treated areas, statewide fire risk reduction, acres that received maintenance treatment, and resources expended for treatment, including resources expended for implementation and alignment of relevant permitting and regulatory requirements of the board, the department, the State Water Resources Control Board, the applicable regional water quality control boards, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife for fire prevention and forest resilience activities and barriers to treatment, if any.

(B) Information contained in the report required pursuant to Section 4137 may be incorporated by reference, as applicable, to comply with the annual report required pursuant to this subdivision.

(C) When establishing yearly treatment goals, described in subparagraph (A), the task force shall use the most advanced predictive tools to determine priority areas for treatment, with the goal of most effectively and efficiently reducing the overall fire risk to the state and achieving other goals outlined in this article.

(3) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, the requirement for submitting a report to the Legislature pursuant to this subdivision is inoperative on January 1, 2052.

(f) On or before March 1, 2026, and every five years thereafter, the task force, or its successor entity, shall update the state’s “Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.” The Natural Resources Agency shall coordinate development of the update with the related state frameworks identified in subdivision (d), and with the phased development of the 20-year plan identified in the “Agreement for Shared Stewardship of California’s Forests and Rangelands” entered into between the state and the Pacific Southwest Region of the United States Forest Service.

(g) The task force shall invite the participation of the United States Forest Service and other federal entities, as applicable, in the creation, alignment, and coordination of joint efforts pursuant to this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 72, Sec. 36. (SB 156) Effective July 2, 2024.)

article: 11. California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan Goals


kind: section

code: PRC

text:
(a) On or before June 30, 2025, the task force, in consultation with the Range Management Advisory Committee of the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, established pursuant to Section 741, shall develop a strategic action plan to expand the use of prescribed grazing to support the state’s efforts to increase the pace and scale of wildfire and forest resilience activities and strengthen the protection of communities and reduce their fire risk.

(b) The plan shall include a focus on reducing wildfire risk in and near “fire-threatened communities,” as that term is defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 4124.5.

(c) The strategic action plan shall include a component on monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of prescribed grazing on reducing wildfire risk, including near communities, and the impacts of prescribed grazing on forest and wildland health, promoting the diversity and abundance of native species, and decreasing the abundance of invasive species.

(d) The task force shall consider incorporating prescribed grazing in the January 1, 2026, update to the state’s “Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.”

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 772, Sec. 3. (SB 675) Effective January 1, 2025.)

chapter: 10. Protection of Forest and Lands

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 10. Protection of Forest and Lands > 11. California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan Goals


citation: PRC § 4781

text: The people of the state have a direct interest in the protection and improvement of public and private lands which are principally used or useful for range or forage purposes for domestic livestock and wildlife. This article is enacted in furtherance of that interest to provide not only for controlled land clearance and revegetation of such lands but also having as its objective fire prevention and protection, watershed protection and conservation, and the prevention of soil erosion.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1144.)

chapter: 11. Range and Forage Lands

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 11. Range and Forage Lands > 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4782

text: This article shall be administered by the department.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1976, Ch. 1300.)

division: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4783

text: The department may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with any person, firm, public or private corporation, district, or municipal corporation, or other political subdivision of the state, or any group or combination of them, that owns or controls brush-covered land within any state responsibility area for the purpose of engaging in controlled land clearance and revegetation, including the burning of brush from such lands, or portions of such lands, under the supervision of the department or by the department.

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4784

text: In furtherance of such contracts and agreements, and also independently of them, the department shall engage in experimental land clearance and revegetation of such lands in the interests of protection and improvement of range and forage lands and shall also engage in such research in connection with it as will enable it to determine the value of such methods in relation to the several purposes and interests of the people of the state as set forth in this article.

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4785

text: The department shall from time to time prepare reports setting forth data as to experiments conducted and the department’s findings and conclusions with reference to those experiments and submit these reports to the board for its guidance and assistance in determining the policy to be followed by the board with reference to range and forage lands.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 356, Sec. 12. (SB 96) Effective September 26, 2013.)

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4786

text: In making such experiments and in conducting or supervising land clearance pursuant to the agreements or contracts contemplated by this article, the department shall have available such fire crews and firefighting equipment as it deems reasonably necessary to prevent the spread of any fire from the area proposed to be cleared, if such equipment and fire crews are not needed for the control of wildfire.

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4787

text: The department, with the approval of the board, may make such regulations as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this article.

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4788

text: The department may accept contributions of money from any private source to carry out the powers and duties imposed upon it by this article.

article: 2. Land Protection and Improvement


citation: PRC § 4789

text: This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Forest and Rangeland Resources Assessment and Policy Act of 1977.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1984, Ch. 835, Sec. 2.)

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 12. Forest and Rangeland Resources Assessment and Policy Act of 1977


text:
The Legislature finds and declares as follows:

(a) The forest resources of California provide vitally important economic and environmental benefits to the people of California.

(b) Demands on forest resources in California are expected to increase significantly in the next decades.

(c) Forest resources in California are limited.

(d) Better use of forest resources can result where there is good information as to anticipated needs and constraints and the potentials for meeting such needs consistent with Section 4513.

(e) The necessary information is not now available and should be developed.

(f) It is the intent of the Legislature to provide for the assessment of California’s forest resources in order to develop and implement forest resources policies for the state.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 4801 by Stats. 1980, Ch. 676, Sec. 268.)

chapter: 12. Forest and Rangeland Resources Assessment and Policy Act of 1977


text:
As used in this chapter:

(a) “Board” means the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection.

(b) “Resources Planning Act” means the Forest and Rangelands Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. Secs. 1601 to 1610, incl.).

(c) “Assessment” means the forest resource assessment and analysis developed pursuant to Section 4789.3.

(d) “Director” means the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection.

(e) “Forest and rangeland resources” means those uses and values associated with, attainable from, or closely tied to, forest and rangelands, including fish, range, recreation, timber, watershed, wilderness, and wildlife.

(f) “Forest land” means timberland defined pursuant to subdivision (g), and other lands that have been withdrawn from timber production, such as units of the state park system, national parks, and wilderness areas.

(g) “Timberland” means land on which is growing a significant stand of trees of commercial species, or potential commercial species, either in public or private ownership or that is generally capable of maintaining a stand of trees in perpetuity and not withdrawn or otherwise devoted to uses other than timber production.

(h) “Timber” means wood fiber of commercial or potential commercial species growing on timberland as defined in subdivision (g).

(i) “Rangeland” means land on which the existing vegetation, whether growing naturally or through management, is suitable for grazing or browsing of domestic livestock for at least a portion of the year. Rangeland includes any natural grasslands, savannas, shrublands (including chaparral), deserts, wetlands, and woodlands (including Eastside ponderosa pine, pinyon, juniper, and oak) which support a vegetative cover of native grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, shrubs, or naturalized species.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 972, Sec. 21. Effective January 1, 1999.)


text:
(a) Under policy guidance from the board and in consultation with the Secretary of the Resources Agency, the director shall prepare and submit to the board and the Secretary of the Resources Agency, a preliminary forest and rangeland resource assessment and analysis not later than July 1, 1979, and shall present a full and updated assessment by January 1, 1987, and by January 1 of each fifth year thereafter. The assessment and analysis shall recognize distinct differences in ownership and management of forest and rangeland resources in California between the various public and the various private owners and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) An assessment and analysis of the supply and availability of the various present and potential forest and rangeland resources of the state, including limits to those supplies imposed by natural site conditions, such as slope stability and erosion hazard, or by governmental restriction, such as special zoning. Among resource potentials to be evaluated are opportunities to accomplish any of the following:

(A) Improve and rehabilitate the understocked timberland in California and to more fully utilize the productive potential for growing and harvesting timber.

(B) Improve wood fiber utilization and wood product recycling.

(C) Salvage trees infested with insects and diseases on timberland.

(D) Improve the management of forest wildlife and wildlife habitat within the state.

(E) Increase the quantity and quality of recreation available in the state.

(F) Improve and rehabilitate rangeland areas within the state.

(G) Increase the potential to use wood fiber from timberland as an economically viable source of fuel for energy production.

(H) Improve the potential for rangeland forage for domestic livestock production.

(2) An assessment and critique of federal policies with respect to rangeland and timberland. The assessment and critique shall include (A) as to timberlands, a review of the federal government’s national forest revenue sharing program administered pursuant to Section 500 of Title 16 of the United States Code, and (B) as to rangelands, a review of grazing fee charges and revenue sharing policies affecting national forest lands administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. The timber sale revenue sharing and grazing fee policies of the Department of the Interior shall also be reviewed. In conducting the review, the director shall consult with the State Board of Equalization, and with local governments and school districts affected by the federal government’s revenue sharing programs.

(3) An analysis of present and anticipated demand for various forest and rangeland resources in the state.

(4) A description and evaluation of current state programs and responsibilities in cooperative state-federal forest and rangeland resource programs, and management of state and local public forest, range, and related lands.

(5) A discussion of important policy considerations, laws, regulations, management responsibilities, and other factors expected to influence and significantly affect the use, ownership, and management of forest and rangeland resources.

(6) When assessing various resource potentials which could be obtained from forest lands and rangeland, the director shall include an evaluation of probable direct and indirect economic and environmental benefits and costs, including opportunity costs, associated with realizing those potentials.

(b) In preparing the assessment, the director, under policy guidance of the board, shall solicit the cooperation of, and information collected by, public and private organizations, federal forest and rangeland resource agencies, state agencies concerned with forest and rangeland resources, county planning and taxation agencies, and state-supported forest and rangeland resource research agencies.

(c) For the purpose of assisting the director and the board in preparing the assessment and its revisions, the board may appoint advisory committees it deems necessary. The committees shall consist of individuals with expertise in forest and rangeland resource fields, with particular emphasis on survey and program analysis, and shall include representatives of state agencies concerned with the use of forest and rangeland resources.

(d) In preparation of the assessment, the director shall do all of the following:

(1) Analyze the need to develop and maintain an effective system for the collection, analysis, and display of that data in forms that contribute to the achievement of the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Identify high-priority needs for completing the data base and analytical framework essential to improving the quality of future assessments.

(3) Evaluate the accuracy and completeness of existing data and of steps needed to improve the accuracy and completeness of data for future assessments.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1985, Ch. 352, Sec. 1.)


text:
(a) Based on a review of the assessment prepared pursuant to Section 4789.3, and consistent with Sections 740 and 4513, the board shall prepare a forest resource policy statement.

(b) Such policy statement shall recognize distinct differences between the various public and various private owners of forest resources in the state and should include, insofar as is possible, the following:

(1) A delineation of specific needs and opportunities for promoting both public and private forest resource management programs in California.

(2) A discussion of priorities for accomplishment of program opportunities, with specified costs, results, and possible constraints on implementation.

(3) An analysis of the relation of the alternative forest resource policies to employment opportunities in California.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 4804 by Stats. 1980, Ch. 676, Sec. 271.)


text: The board shall hold public hearings on the assessment and the proposed policy statement prepared pursuant to Sections 4789.3 and 4789.4.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 4805 by Stats. 1980, Ch. 676, Sec. 272.)


text:
(a) The board, assisted by the director, shall biennially determine state needs for forest management research and recommend the conduct of needed projects to the Governor and the Legislature.

(b) To facilitate reporting and updating the assessment pursuant to Section 4789.3, the director, under guidance by the board, may prepare and implement a forest resource management information storage and retrieval program regarding forest land conditions in the state. Such program shall be coordinated and integrated to the maximum extent practicable with data storage and retrieval programs of other state and federal agencies and institutions. The director shall review existing forest resource management storage, retrieval, and analysis systems in the institutions of higher learning in this state, and insofar as the board deems desirable, may utilize such systems as a model for the state program established pursuant to this section.

(c) The director shall, as budgetary resources permit, develop a cost-effective and statistically valid system to periodically monitor the extent to which timberland is, or is becoming, less available for the growing and harvesting of timber due to zoning, onsite development, adjacent land uses, ownership patterns, parcel size, or any other factors.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1489, Sec. 33.)


text:
(a) The director shall convey the assessment and its updates to federal agencies charged with managing public land within the state.

(b) To assure the availability and compatibility of data and scientific information needed for development and implementation of the assessment, the board and the director shall cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture in conducting surveys and analyses as provided for in the Resources Planning Act and with other federal agencies as provided by federal law.

history: (History: Added by renumbering Section 4807 by Stats. 1980, Ch. 676, Sec. 274.)


citation: PRC § 4790

text:
The Legislature finds and declares that:

(a) Forest lands, while often managed to produce wood fiber for building materials and paper manufacture, also provide public benefits, including employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas, renewable energy, protection and enhancement of air, water, and soil resources, fish and wildlife habitat, and opportunities for aesthetic and recreational enjoyment.

(b) Historically, substantial areas of forest land were not reforested or otherwise managed for optimum production of forest resources following harvest operations, wildfires, unsuccessful attempts to clear the land for other uses, or damage by insects, disease, or other natural catastrophes. As a result, an estimated five million acres of public and private forest land in the state are producing substantially less forest resources than their potential. These areas are inadequately stocked with trees or are occupied by damaged or diseased trees or species of less value for sawtimber and other forest products. Some lands also have suffered from or are threatened with depletion by soil erosion. Water quality and quantity has suffered and fish habitats have also been adversely affected. In areas where forest regeneration has occurred, the present forest stand would often produce significantly greater timber supplies if thinning or other forest improvement investments were made.

(c) Future demand for timber supplies and other demands for forest resources are likely to rise substantially. Future supplies of these renewable resources are presently estimated to decline for a period and then to recover, but at a rate significantly slower than the rate of increase in demand.

(d) Wood waste products and tree or shrub species not normally utilized to produce building materials can provide opportunities for an alternative means to generate electrical energy or could be converted to solid, gaseous, or liquid fuels for transport or industrial use. Future supplies of wood products not usable for building materials, and, therefore potentially available for energy production, will be increased if forest resource improvements are made.

(e) The forest efficiently captures and stores solar energy. Wood products can be produced with a significantly lower energy cost than most competing substitutes. This disparity is likely to increase in the future.

(f) A relatively small amount of forest land is currently being reforested, other than pursuant to the stocking requirements of the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4511) of Part 2) applicable following timber harvesting. Obstacles to private investments in reforesting or improving forest lands include: the extraordinarily long time required for such investments to produce income; the risk of loss due to fire, insect, or disease; lack of necessary forestry expertise or knowledge of the potential benefits of improved forest resource management; the difficulty of transferring capital invested in forest resource improvements to other investment opportunities or otherwise using the funds for other needs once the initial investment has been made; and the fact that some forest resource investments, including erosion control measures, may not produce any income recognizable to the landowner.

(g) Over one-half of the privately owned, commercial forest land in the state is owned by nonindustrial landowners. Forest resources that can be provided by these lands will be increasingly important in the future. Yet the owners of these lands often lack forestry expertise, economic incentive, or capital needed to make investments to increase present and future availability of forest resource benefits from their lands.

(h) Investments in public and private forest land are essential if adequate future timber supplies are to be available and if the forest resource system of soil, air, water, and vegetative and animal life is to be maintained in a productive condition for the future. These investments will also lessen fire hazards and improve watershed protection following catastrophic destruction of forests and other vegetative cover by fire, wind, flood, insects, disease, and other causes.

(i) Failure to make the necessary investments will lead to higher prices for increasingly scarce forest products, lower rural and urban employment in the forest products and related industries and businesses, and the loss or diminished value of soils and other forest resources.

(j) Forest resource improvements made pursuant to this chapter serve a public purpose and will promote the health, welfare, and economic security of the citizens of the state.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 409, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)

chapter: 1. Forest Resources Improvement

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 1. Forest Resources Improvement


text: The Legislature further declares that, except as specifically provided in this chapter the state shall not claim any right, title, or interest in the land, trees, or other vegetation which are the subject of a forest resource improvement project undertaken pursuant to this chapter. When carrying out this chapter, the director shall encourage the use of goods and services available through private forest nurseries, reforestation contractors, private forest consultants, or others in the business of undertaking forest resource improvement work.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1181.)


citation: PRC § 4791

text:
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage private and public investments in, and an improved management of, forest lands and resources within the state to ensure adequate future high quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, and the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of a productive and stable forest resource system for the benefit of present and future generations.

The primary emphasis of the program established by this chapter shall be upon improving the timber productivity of forest lands in the state; provided, that consistent with this primary goal, the program shall also be managed to improve all forest resources, such as fish and wildlife habitat and soil resources, so that the overall effect of the program is to improve the total forest resource system.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 676, Sec. 266.)


citation: PRC § 4792

text: In furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the department is authorized to enter into agreements and make loans and otherwise carry out the purposes of this chapter. The forestry assistance program conducted by the department shall encourage forest resource improvements and otherwise facilitate good forest land management through a program of financial, technical, and educational assistance, as well as through applied research. The purpose of this program shall be to work cooperatively with private landowners, particularly smaller nonindustrial landowners, to upgrade the management of their lands, and, therefore, improve both the productivity of the land and the degree of protection and enhancement of the forest resource system as a whole. The department is further authorized to encourage and cooperate with efforts by the forestry industry and federal government to improve the management of forest lands within the state, particularly lands owned by nonindustrial owners, through advisory services or other actions. The director shall work cooperatively with other private and public entities and persons, including tree nursery operators, when carrying out this part.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 409, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2001.)


citation: PRC § 4793

text:
As used in this chapter:

(a) “A county with high unemployment” means a county with an annual unemployment rate, as reported by the Employment Development Department, higher than the mean annual unemployment rate of “rate adjustment counties” as defined pursuant to the Timber Yield Tax Law (Part 18.5 (commencing with Section 38101) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code).

(b) “Eligible landowner” means any person who meets the conditions set forth in Sections 4797 and 4799. Where ownership of forest land and timber is not held by the same person, “landowner” means either the person or persons owning the land or the person or persons owning the timber.

(c) “Fish and wildlife habitat improvements” means measures designed to protect, maintain, or enhance fish and wildlife habitat including, but not limited to, stream clearance, reestablishment of desirable vegetation along stream channels and elsewhere, measures to encourage habitat diversity, restoration of anadromous fisheries, and forest road repair and upgrading that protect, maintain, or enhance fish and wildlife habitat.

(d) “Followup work” means forest resource improvement work necessary to promote the survival of seed or seedlings planted, or protection or enhancement of other work undertaken, as part of a prior forest resource improvement project pursuant to this chapter.

(e) “Forest land” means land at least 10 percent occupied by trees of any size that are native to California, including native oaks, or formerly having had that tree cover and not currently zoned for uses incompatible with forest resource management.

(f) “Forest land conservation measures” means measures designed to protect, maintain, or enhance the forest resource system, including soil and watershed values, diversity of forest species, and protection of a forest stand from fire. These measures include thinning, shaded fuel breaks, and other land treatments or forest resource improvement projects consistent with Section 4794.

(g) “Forest land with demonstrated potential for improved forest resource management” means forest land that could produce significantly greater forest resource benefits if forest resource improvement work was carried out and that is not managed for uses incompatible with forest resource management.

(h) “Forest resources” means those uses and values associated with forest land, including fish, forage, recreation and aesthetics, soils, timber, watershed, wilderness, and wildlife.

(i) “Forest resource system” means the interdependent system of air, water, solar energy, and forest resources, as defined by subdivision (h).

(j) “Forest resource improvement work” means the forest resource improvement measures enumerated in Section 4794 for which assistance is authorized pursuant to this chapter.

(k) “Forest resource improvement project” means a project undertaken pursuant to Section 4795 or a loan made pursuant to Section 4796.

(l) “Management plan” means a long-term forest and land management plan submitted to the director pursuant to Section 4799.

(m) “Person” includes:

(1) Any private individual, organization, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation.

(2) Except for the purposes of Section 4795 and subdivision (a) of Section 4796, any city, county, or district.

(n) “Prevailing rate” means the average annual rate earned by the state on moneys deposited in the Pooled Money Investment Account in the General Fund.

(o) “Reforestation” means planting of tree seedlings, cuttings, or seed.

(p) “Restocked” means stocking to the degree required by the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4511) of Part 2.

(q) “Small business entity” means a business enterprise, including a landowner, with five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or less annual gross revenue.

(r) “Smaller nonindustrial landowners” means owners of 5,000 acres or less of forest land.

(s) “Uses incompatible with forest resource management” means uses not listed in subdivision (h) of Section 51104 or Section 51111 of the Government Code by the city or county in which the parcel subject to a forest resource improvement project lies.

(t) “Young growth stand improvement” means precommercial thinning or weeding of young growth stands to provide more growing space and release of young trees from competing vegetation.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 409, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2001.)


citation: PRC § 4794

text:
(a) Agreements may be entered into and loans may be made by the director pursuant to this chapter for all of the following purposes:

(1) Preparation of management plans for forest land.

(2) Site preparation.

(3) Planting and costs of seeds and seedlings.

(4) Young growth stand improvement.

(5) Forest land conservation measures.

(6) Fish and wildlife habitat improvement.

(7) Followup work.

Consistent with this section, the director shall prepare, and submit to the board for its review and approval, guidelines further specifying the scope of forest resource improvement work for which agreements may be entered into or loans made pursuant to this chapter.

(b) Proposed forest resource improvement projects may combine work described in paragraphs (1) to (7), inclusive, of subdivision (a). Projects shall include work described in paragraphs (1) to (7), inclusive, of subdivision (a) to be eligible for a cost-sharing agreement signed pursuant to Section 4795 or a loan made pursuant to Section 4796.

(c) Projects for forest resource improvement subsequent to harvesting subject to the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4511) of Part 2, shall not be eligible for agreements executed pursuant to Section 4795 or loans made pursuant to Section 4796 of this chapter unless either of the following occur:

(1) The land has been restocked and the established forest growth has subsequently been adversely affected by fire, wind, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes.

(2) The work to be undertaken is not otherwise required to be carried out pursuant to the Z’berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 4511) of Part 2.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 409, Sec. 4. Effective January 1, 2001.)


citation: PRC § 4795

text:
(a) The director may enter into agreements with eligible landowners pursuant to which the landowner will undertake forest resource improvement work in return for an agreement by the director to share the cost of carrying out the work. The director is authorized to share up to 90 percent of the lesser of either:

(1) The landowner’s actual cost per acre to accomplish the work.

(2) The prevailing per acre cost as determined by the director pursuant to Section 4799.02.

(b) (1) The director may provide the funds for the director’s share of the costs, as described in subdivision (a), in advance of any work performed if the eligible landowner agrees in writing to undertake the forest resource improvement work and agrees to the condition that funds provided for any uncompleted work shall constitute grounds for a claim and lien upon the real property owned by the landowner that is subject to this section. Any such lien shall attach to the property regardless of whether the responsible party is insolvent. A lien established pursuant to this subdivision shall be subject to notice and hearing procedures required by due process of the law.

(2) A lien authorized under this subdivision shall continue in effect until the liability for repayment of funds, or a judgment against the responsible party, is satisfied. However, if it is determined by the court that the judgment against the responsible party will not be satisfied, the department may exercise its rights under the lien.

(3) A lien imposed pursuant to this subdivision shall have the force and effect of, and the same priority as, a judgment lien upon its recordation in the county in which the property subject to the lien is located. The lien shall contain the legal description of the real property, the assessor’s parcel number, and the name of the owner of record, as shown on the latest assessor’s property tax assessment roll.

(4) All funds recovered pursuant to this subdivision shall be deposited in the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund established pursuant to Section 4629.3.

(c) The director shall prepare a schedule of cost share percentages applicable to agreements undertaken pursuant to this section. Required landowner cost share contributions may be made in the form of materials, services, or equipment as well as funds. The cost share percentage schedule shall set forth the percentage of required landowner’s project cost share for various categories of forest resource improvement projects. The percentage of cost sharing required of the landowner may be decreased if the ownership contains less than 500 acres.

(d) The percentage of cost sharing required of the landowner may also be decreased to the extent that any of the following applies:

(1) The project or other actions of the landowner would increase recreational opportunities for the public.

(2) The project would provide relatively more employment opportunities than other proposed projects.

(3) Forest land conservation measures or fish or wildlife habitat improvements are included in the project.

(e) Consistent with the criteria set forth in subdivisions (c) and (d), the director shall submit a schedule further specifying cost share percentages to the board for its review. The schedule shall apply to all agreements made pursuant to this section unless the board acts to change the schedule within 75 days of its submission by the director.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 220. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)


text:
A forest landowner who has entered into an undue hardship agreement with the Controller for the payment of inheritance taxes pursuant to Section 14143.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code may apply annually to the director for a grant in the amount of 50 percent of the interest due on the annual installment paid in the current calendar year. To be eligible for such a grant the forest landowner must show that his or her forest land is subject to either:

(a) The provisions of a timberland production zone, pursuant to Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 51100) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code; provided, that no petition is under consideration while the grant is being administered for rezoning pursuant to Section 51120 of the Government Code or immediate rezoning pursuant to Section 51130 of the Government Code.

(b) A contract pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 4797.

The annual installment must be paid on or before the anniversary date of the first installment payment, or the eligible landowner shall be disqualified from receiving a grant pursuant to this section. The eligible landowner shall apply to the director subsequent to the current calendar year, in such form as the director may prescribe, and shall include proof of agreement with the Controller pursuant to Section 14143.5 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, proof of payment of the current calendar year’s annual installment of inheritance taxes, and the amount of the installment payment which constituted interest. An eligible landowner who meets the requirements of this subdivision shall be deemed as having submitted an approved application. Within 60 days after receipt of an approved application, the director shall send to the eligible landowner by certified mail a check in the appropriate amount.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 1982, Ch. 1489, Sec. 34.)


citation: PRC § 4796

text:
(a) The director may make the following types of loans relating to forest resource improvement projects:

(1) The director may make loans for forest resource improvement work to cover all or part of a smaller nonindustrial landowner’s cost share payment required pursuant to Section 4795. The director shall establish reasonable terms relating to the length of, and the interest rate for, a loan made pursuant to this subdivision. In order to secure repayment of the loan, the forest resource improvement loans shall be secured by a mortgage or deed of trust upon the parcel of land to which the forest improvement project applies. The director shall record the mortgage or deed of trust in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the real property subject to the resource improvement loan is located.

(2) (A) The director may make loans for forest resource improvement work to landowners eligible pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (d) of Section 4797 for up to 100 percent of the lesser of either:

(i) The landowner’s actual cost per acre to accomplish the work.

(ii) The prevailing cost per acre as determined by the director pursuant to Section 4799.02.

(B) A loan made pursuant to this subdivision may be made for a term not exceeding 20 years and shall bear interest at the prevailing rate. In order to secure repayment of the loan, the forest resource improvement loans shall be secured by a mortgage or deed of trust upon the parcel of land to which the forest improvement project applies. The director shall record the mortgage or deed of trust in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the real property subject to the resource improvement loan is located.

(b) Any loan made pursuant to this section may be paid prior to the maturity date set forth in the loan agreement without an interest penalty being charged to the landowner.

(c) Payment of all or part of the principal and interest due under loans made pursuant to this chapter shall not be required upon a finding by the board that the parcel to which a forest resource improvement project applies, and that is subject to a loan, satisfies both of the following conditions:

(1) The parcel has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes.

(2) The damage was not caused by the negligence or willful act of the landowner.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 497, Sec. 221. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2020.)


citation: PRC § 4797

text:
To be eligible for participation in an agreement pursuant to Section 4795 or loan pursuant to Section 4796, the following conditions must be met:

(a) The application requirements of Section 4799 are satisfied.

(b) The landowner is a person owning forest land. Where the land is owned jointly by more than one individual, group, association, or corporation, as joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, the joint owners shall be considered, for the purposes of this chapter, as one eligible landowner.

(c) With respect to cost-sharing agreements made pursuant to Section 4795 or loans made pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4796, the amount of forest land in the state within the ownership of the landowner is 5,000 acres or less.

(d) With respect to loans made pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4796, the acreage of the parcel to which the proposed forest resource improvement project applies, together with the acreage included in any other such project subject to an agreement or loan executed or made pursuant to this chapter during the same fiscal year, does not exceed 500 acres; provided, that this limit shall not apply to forest resource improvement projects on lands that have been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes within 36 months of submission of an application pursuant to this chapter.

(e) The parcel of forest land to which the forest resource improvement project applies is either:

(1) Within a timber preserve zone established pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 51100) of Part 1 of Division 1 of Title 5 of the Government Code; provided, that the parcel of forest land is not the subject of an application for rezoning or immediate rezoning pursuant to Section 51120 or 51130 of the Government Code.

(2) Subject to a contract signed by the landowner providing that the owner agrees not to develop the land for uses incompatible with forest resource management within 10 years following execution of an agreement pursuant to Section 4795 or the making of a loan pursuant to Section 4796. The director shall record the contract in the office of the county recorder in the county in which such parcel of land is located and, upon recordation, the contract shall be binding upon any person to whom such parcel of land is sold, assigned, devised, or otherwise transferred by agreement or operation of law.


text:
(a) Any cost share payments advanced pursuant to Section 4795 shall be refunded to the director in the event of either:

(1) The filing of an application for rezoning or immediate rezoning pursuant to Section 51120 or 51130 of the Government Code within 10 years of the date an agreement was signed pursuant to Section 4795.

(2) A violation of the contract entered into pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 4797.

The refund shall bear interest at the prevailing rate from the time of the violation as specified in clause (1) or (2) of this subdivision.

(b) Any loan made pursuant to Section 4796 shall immediately become due and payable in the event of either:

(1) The filing of an application for rezoning or immediate rezoning pursuant to Section 51120 or 51130 of the Government Code within 10 years of the making of a loan pursuant to Section 4796.

(2) A violation of the contract entered into pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 4797.

The refund shall bear interest at the prevailing rate from the time of the violation as specified in clause (1) or (2) of this subdivision.

(c) Upon failure by the landowner to refund such payments or loans, the director may place a lien upon the parcel of property to which a forest resource improvement project applied. The director shall record such lien at the appropriate county office.


citation: PRC § 4798

text: Cost share payments or loans pursuant to this chapter may be made for forest resource improvement work which is also the subject of payments or other assistance provided pursuant to federal law; provided, that payments or loans may not be made pursuant to this chapter to satisfy landowner cost share requirements of, or repay loans received pursuant to federal law; and provided, further, that the combined state and federal payments, and any required landowner cost share payments, do not together exceed the amount of the actual cost to the landowner or the prevailing cost per acre as determined by the director pursuant to Section 4801, whichever is less.


citation: PRC § 4799

text:
In addition to the requirements of Section 4797, to be eligible to participate in agreements pursuant to Section 4795, or receive loans pursuant to Section 4796, the landowner shall do all of the following:

(a) Submit a long-term forest and land management plan for approval by the director. In the event that the proposed project includes preparation of the management plan, the plan need not be completed at the time of application; provided, that no other forest resource improvement project on forest lands within the same ownership not covered by a management plan may be approved by the director until the management plan has been approved pursuant to this subdivision. The plan shall cover all forest lands within the same ownership which include or are contiguous to the parcel to which a proposed forest resource improvement project applies. The plan shall set forth an analysis of forest land conditions and capabilities, including its original forest type if determinable. The plan shall describe the landowner’s management objectives and shall provide for the eventual harvest of sawtimber within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the preparer of the plan. The plan shall also describe the forest resource improvement work and other measures necessary to do all of the following:

(1) Protect, maintain, and enhance the forest resource system.

(2) Prevent or mitigate erosion, deterioration of soil resources, and pollution by natural and manmade causes.

(3) Optimize the timber growth potential of the land consistent with maintaining the productivity of related forest resources now and in the future.

The plan shall be prepared or approved as to content by a registered professional forester. Such a plan, when approved by the director, shall fulfill the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 51113 of the Government Code. Consistent with this section, the director shall prepare, and submit to the board for its review and approval, guidelines specifying the factors to be considered and information which should be included in management plans submitted pursuant to this section.

(b) Submit a project application in the form prescribed by the director containing such information as the director deems necessary to evaluate the proposed forest resource improvement project.

(c) Agree to comply with state or federal laws applicable to the work carried out pursuant to the proposed forest resource improvement project.

(d) Agree to comply with such forest land conservation measures and fish and wildlife habitat protection guidelines as may be set forth as part of the cost-sharing agreement or loan agreement executed pursuant to Section 4795 or 4796. Such measures shall be designed to insure that work carried out pursuant to such agreements is conducted in a manner to protect, enhance, and maintain the forest resource system to the greatest degree feasible. In the event that required land conservation measures or fish and wildlife habitat protection guidelines are not followed and significant damage to the forest resources occurs as a result, the director may take corrective action in accordance with the procedures of Sections 4607, 4608, 4609, 4610, and 4611.


text:
(a) When allocating available funds among projects proposed pursuant to this chapter, the director shall select those projects that, in the judgment of the director, produce the greatest public benefit, giving consideration to both of the following factors:

(1) The need for and potential benefits of forest resource establishment or improvement were the project to be undertaken.

(2) The need for and potential benefits to long-term production, maintenance, and enhancement of the forest resource system resulting from forest land conservation measures, fish and wildlife habitat improvements, or other work.

(b) The director shall give increased preference to projects to the extent that the project applies to forest land that has been substantially damaged by fire, flood, insects, disease, or other natural causes within 36 months of submission of an application pursuant to this chapter.

(c) The director shall also give preference to projects to the extent that each of the following factors are present:

(1) The project involves a substantial amount of followup work.

(2) The project or other actions of the landowner would increase recreational opportunities for the public.

(3) The forest land to which the project applies is equivalent to site quality III or better.

(4) The project would provide relatively more employment opportunities than other proposed projects.

(5) The project is located in a county with high unemployment.

(6) A small business entity will carry out the proposed project.

(d) Consistent with the criteria set forth in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c), the director shall prepare and submit to the board proposed guidelines further specifying the criteria for evaluation and approval of forest resource improvement projects. The board shall review, approve, or amend the guidelines that the director shall follow when carrying out this chapter.

(e) The director shall establish, in consultation with interested persons or agencies and with the review and approval of the board, procedures for the review of proposed forest resource improvement projects. Those procedures shall insure that department specialists and other specialists in the areas of water quality, erosion control, and fish and wildlife protection are integrated into the review of proposed forest resource improvement projects.

(f) No allocation of funds pursuant to this chapter shall, in any fiscal year, exceed the total amount expended during the 1999–2000 fiscal year until the completion, review, and final approval by the board of an updated management plan for the Jackson Demonstration State Forest that complies with applicable state and federal law.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 409, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2001.)


text:
To carry out the provisions of this chapter and to facilitate participation in the program authorized by this chapter, the director may promulgate such regulations, guidelines, or publications as the director deems appropriate. Such regulations, guidelines, or publications shall be submitted to the board for review or approval when required by this chapter and, even if not required, when deemed appropriate by the director for his or her guidance. Regulations, guidelines, or publications shall specify:

(a) The scope of forest resource improvement work, as described by Section 4794, for which agreements may be entered into or loans made pursuant to Section 4795 or 4796.

(b) The prevailing cost of performing various types and methods of forest resource improvement work under various site conditions throughout the forest land of the state, as required by Sections 4795 and 4796.

(c) Cost share percentage schedules as required by Section 4795.

(d) Procedures to be followed in the event of a violation of a cost-sharing or loan agreement pursuant to Section 4795 or 4796 or default of payment of loan principal or interest pursuant to Section 4796.

(e) Consistent with subdivision (g) of Section 4793, criteria to determine forest lands which have demonstrated potential for improved forest resource management and may, therefore, be eligible for forest resource improvement projects under the provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 4797.

(f) Factors to be considered and information which should be included in management plans submitted pursuant to Section 4799.

(g) A standard application form for forest resource improvement projects submitted under Section 4795 or 4796.

(h) Forest land conservation measures and fish and wildlife habitat protection guidelines to be followed in the performance of forest resource improvement projects work as provided by Section 4799.

(i) Guidelines for evaluation and approval of proposed forest resource improvement projects as required by subdivision (d) of Section 4799.01.

(j) Procedures for the review by the director and interested persons or agencies of proposed forest resource improvement projects pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 4799.01.

(k) Such other matters as the director deems necessary for the effective administration of the provisions of this chapter.


text:
(a) The director shall work cooperatively with other public agencies of local, state, and federal government to encourage such agencies to undertake forest resource improvement work and otherwise accomplish the purposes of this chapter. The director is authorized to enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with such agencies to provide:

(1) Technical assistance.

(2) Necessary supervisorial personnel.

(3) Tree seed, tree cuttings, or seedlings.

(4) Necessary equipment.

(5) Such other assistance as may be necessary and appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

(b) In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the director shall cooperate with the Employment Development Department, the California Conservation Corps, the Cooperative Extension, resource conservation districts, industry, and other interested agencies or persons for the purpose of training needed workers and facilitating wherever feasible the creation of forest resources improvement work opportunities. The department or other state agencies are authorized to utilize state lands for the purposes of carrying out needed training pursuant to this subdivision.

(c) The director shall also endeavor to work cooperatively with other persons and public agencies to provide opportunities for voluntary, unpaid forest resources improvement work by persons who may be interested in volunteering for such work.


text:
To effectuate the purposes of this chapter, the department is authorized to:

(a) Collect or contract for adequate supplies of high-quality seed and take whatever steps are necessary to insure to the maximum degree feasible that seeds or seedlings planted as part of forest resource improvement projects undertaken pursuant to this chapter are adapted to the planting site and measures are taken to assure appropriate diversity of forest species.

(b) Contract for seedling production and, in cooperation with other state, local, and federal agencies, encourage the production of seedlings needed to accomplish reforestation in the state by small business entities in or near areas where planting will be carried out.

(c) Provide technical assistance to private seedling nurseries and conduct a program for certification of the quality and adaptability of seeds and tree seedlings supplied for forest resource improvement projects undertaken pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Increase availability of genetically improved seed and planting stock by expansion of seed orchards or other recognized tree improvement techniques.

(e) In cooperation with other public and private entities or persons:

(1) Conduct necessary research and take other appropriate measures to protect the genetic integrity and diversity of forest tree species, including, but not limited to, a seed depository.

(2) Conduct research and make grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with public and private entities or persons concerning measures to increase the contribution of trees to improve the natural environment and economy of the state and measures to otherwise accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

(f) Purchase necessary equipment or materials and, in accordance with the State Civil Service Act (commencing with Section 18570 of the Government Code), appoint such deputies, officers, and other employees as may be necessary.

(g) In cooperation with other public and private entities and persons, establish such training and educational programs as may be appropriate to increase the number of workers with necessary skills to carry out seed collection, seedling production, and forest resource improvement projects.

(h) To accept grants and donations of equipment, seedlings, materials, or funds from any source for the purpose of supporting or facilitating forest resource improvement work undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any funds received shall be deposited by the director in the Forest Resource Improvement Fund established pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 4799.13) of this part. No federal funds received as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Public Law 111- 5) shall be deposited into the Forest Resources Improvement Fund.

(i) Waive the landowner cost sharing requirements of this chapter if the funding source for the authorized forest improvement work prohibits cost sharing requirements.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2009, 4th Ex. Sess., Ch. 11, Sec. 7. Effective July 28, 2009.)


text:
(a) (1) The director may provide grants to, or enter into contracts or other cooperative agreements with, entities, including, but not limited to, private or nongovernmental entities, Native American tribes, or local, state, and federal public agencies, for the implementation and administration of projects and programs to improve forest health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(2) (A) The director may authorize advance payments to a nonprofit organization, a local agency, a special district, a private forest landowner, or a Native American tribe from a grant awarded pursuant to this section. No single advance payment shall exceed 25 percent of the total grant award.

(B) (i) The grantee shall expend the funds from the advance payment within six months of receipt, unless the department waives this requirement.

(ii) The grantee shall file an accountability report with the department four months from the date of receiving the funds and every four months thereafter.

(C) (i) The department shall provide a report to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2023, on the outcome of the department’s use of advance payments.

(ii) A report submitted pursuant to this subparagraph shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(iii) The requirement for submitting a report imposed under clause (i) is inoperative on January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code.

(b) Any project or program described in this section that is funded with moneys from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, created pursuant to Section 16428.8 of the Government Code, shall comply with all statutory and program requirements applicable to the use of moneys from the fund.

(c) Moneys appropriated to the department for landscape-scale projects shall be allocated as follows:

(1) To subsidize the removal of small diameter material, especially surface fuels and ladder fuels, as well as dead trees, in order to help develop markets for beneficial uses of the material, including, but not limited to, animal bedding, biochar, cross-laminated timber, mulch, oriented strand board, pulp, post, shredding, and veneer products.

(2) For multiple benefit projects, such as tree thinning, carbon sequestration, forest resilience, and improved ecological outcome projects, including, but not limited to, restoring watershed health and function and supporting biodiversity and wildlife adaptation to climate change. The department shall give grant funding priority to landowners who practice uneven aged forest management with a resilient forest of diverse age, size, and species class within the boundaries of the project and whose activities are conducted pursuant to an approved timber harvest plan, nonindustrial timber harvest plan, or working forest management plan. An application for a grant for a project under this paragraph shall include a description of how the proposed project will increase average stem diameter and provide other site-specific improvement to forest complexity, as demonstrated by the expansion of the variety of tree age classes and species persisting for a period of at least 50 years. The department shall also give funding priority to landowners who agree to long-term forest management goals prescribed by the department.

(3) For activities on national forest lands to increase tree stand heterogeneity, create forest openings of less than one acre, and increase average tree stand diameter of residual trees. Any grants provided under this paragraph shall be approved by the department, in collaboration with appropriate state agencies, including the State Air Resources Board.

(d) (1) Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) does not apply to prescribed fire, reforestation, habitat restoration, thinning, or fuel reduction projects, or to related activities included in the project description, undertaken, in whole or in part, on federal lands to reduce the risk of high-severity wildfire that have been reviewed under the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 4321 et seq.) if either of the following is satisfied:

(A) The primary role of a state or local agency is providing funding or staffing for those projects.

(B) A state or local agency is undertaking those projects pursuant to the federal Good Neighbor Authority (Public Law 113-79) or a stewardship agreement with the federal government entered into pursuant to Public Law 113-79.

(2) Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) does not apply to the issuance of a permit or other project approval by a state or local agency for projects described in paragraph (1).

(3) This section does not alter, affect, or in any way diminish the authority of a state or local agency to impose mitigation measures or conditions on projects described in paragraph (1) pursuant to other laws or regulations.

(4) (A) If the lead agency, as defined in Section 21067, determines that a project is not subject to Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) pursuant to this subdivision and it determines to approve or carry out the project, the lead agency shall file a notice of exemption with the Office of Planning and Research and with the county clerk in the county in which the project will be located in the manner specified in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21108 or subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 21152. The lead agency shall also post the notice of exemption on its internet website together with a description of where the documents analyzing the environmental impacts of the project under the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 are available for public review.

(B) If the lead agency is not the department, the lead agency shall also provide the notice of exemption together with the information set forth in subdivision (d) of Section 4137 to the department. The department shall compile the information submitted to it pursuant to this subparagraph and post the information on the department’s internet website.

(5) On or before February 1, 2027, if the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency determines that substantial changes have been made since January 1, 2023, to the federal National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or other federal laws that affect the management of federal forest lands in California, the secretary shall report those changes to the Legislature in accordance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(6) This subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2028.

(e) Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000) does not apply to any discretionary approval necessary to carry out or implement projects funded by the Nature-Based Solutions Tribal Program or the tribal cultural burn and tribal wildfire funding authorized by Schedule (2) of Item 3540-101-0001 of Section 2.00 of the Budget Act of 2021, as added by Section 46 of Chapter 240 of the Statutes of 2021. This subdivision only applies to projects carried out on lands subject to the jurisdictional control or the ownership of a California Native American tribe, as defined in Section 21073.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 574, Sec. 17. (AB 211) Effective September 27, 2022.)


text: This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Urban Forestry Act of 1978.

chapter: 2. Urban Forestry

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 2. Urban Forestry


text:
The Legislature finds and declares that:

(a) Trees are a vital resource in the urban environment and as an important psychological link with nature for the urban dweller.

(b) Trees are a valuable economic asset in our cities. They help maintain or increase property values, attract business and new residents in urban areas, and support job creation and business growth.

(c) Trees play an important role in energy conservation by modifying temperature extremes with shade and humidity, and by influencing wind direction and velocity. This role is particularly important in reducing the amount of energy consumed in heating and cooling buildings and homes, and potentially in producing a local fuel and energy source.

(d) Trees directly reduce air pollution by removing airborne particulates from the atmosphere and helping to purify the air.

(e) Trees help reduce noise, provide habitat for songbirds and other wildlife, reduce surface runoff and protect urban water resources, and enhance the aesthetic quality of life in urban communities.

(f) Trees planted in urban settings play a significant role in meeting the state’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets by sequestering carbon as well as reducing energy consumption.

(g) Maximizing the benefits of trees through multiple-objective projects that provide environmental services can provide cost-effective solutions to the needs of urban communities and local agencies, including, but not limited to, increased water supply, clean air and water, reduced energy use, flood and stormwater management, recreation, and urban revitalization.

(h) Growing conditions in urban areas for trees and associated plants have worsened so that many of California’s urban communities are now losing more trees than are replaced.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 1. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
(a) The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) Promote the use of urban forest resources for purposes of increasing integrated projects with multiple benefits in urban communities, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) Expanded urban forest canopy.

(B) Community greening.

(C) Increased carbon sequestration.

(D) Reduced energy consumption.

(E) Reduction of impacts of the urban heat island effect.

(F) Improved management of stormwater and dry weather runoff.

(G) Improved local water capture and efficient use of water for urban forest maintenance.

(H) Climate adaptation, with an emphasis on disadvantaged communities.

(2) Stop the decline of our urban forest resources, facilitate the planting of trees in urban communities, and improve the quality of the environment in urban areas through the establishment and improved management of urban forest resources.

(3) Facilitate the creation of permanent jobs in tree maintenance and related urban forestry activities in neighborhood, local, and regional urban areas to enable workforce training for young women and men in disadvantaged communities.

(4) Optimize the potential of tree and vegetative cover in reducing energy consumption and producing fuel and other products.

(5) Encourage the coordination of state and local agency activities in urban forestry and related programs and encourage maximum community participation in their development and implementation.

(6) Assist the Department of Agriculture to prevent the introduction and spread within this state of known and potentially damaging or devastating invasive pests and diseases.

(7) Reduce or eliminate tree loss resulting from invasive pests and diseases.

(8) Promote policies and incentives for implementing entities that advance improved maintenance of urban forest canopy to optimize multiple benefits.

(b) In implementing this chapter, the department shall consult with the State Water Resources Control Board to identify additional opportunities to improve water resources management through urban forestry projects.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 2. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
As used in this chapter the following terms have the following meanings:

(a) “Disadvantaged community” means a community identified as a disadvantaged community pursuant to Section 39711 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) “Local water” means rainwater, stormwater, recycled water, and urban runoff captured by urban forest sites through curb cuts, cisterns, tree wells, and other best management practices that offset reliance on potable water use.

(c) “Low-income community” means a community as defined in Section 39713 of the Health and Safety Code.

(d) “Urban area” means an urban place, as that term is defined by the United States Department of Commerce, of 2,500 or more persons.

(e) “Urban forest” means those native or introduced trees and related vegetation in the urban and near-urban areas, including, but not limited to, urban watersheds, soils and related habitats, street trees, park trees, residential trees, natural riparian habitats, and trees on other private and public properties.

(f) “Urban forest maintenance” means those activities that reduce tree mortality, ensure optimal tree health, preserve carbon sequestration and climate resilience benefits, and improve the full functionality of the urban forest. This includes, but is not limited to, mulching, watering, and proper pruning practices.

(g) “Urban forestry” means the cultivation and management of native or introduced trees and related vegetation in urban areas for their present and potential contribution to the economic, physiological, sociological, and ecological well-being of urban society.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 3. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
(a) (1) The department shall implement a program in urban forestry to encourage better tree management and planting in urban areas to increase integrated, multiple benefit projects by assisting urban areas with innovative solutions to problems, including reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases, mitigation of public health impacts of poor air and water quality, mitigation of urban heat island effect, improved capture of stormwater and dry weather runoff, addressing water shortages, lack of green space, lack of urban parks that are accessible to pedestrians, vandalism, and insufficient tree maintenance, and to otherwise accomplish the purposes of this chapter.

(2) The department shall encourage demonstration projects that maximize the benefits of urban forests in conjunction with state and local agency programs to improve carbon sequestration, water conservation, energy conservation, stormwater capture and reuse, urban forest maintenance, urban parks and river parkways, school construction and improvements, school greening or sun-safe schoolyards, air quality, water quality, flood management, urban revitalization, solid waste prevention, and other projects.

(3) The department shall establish local or regional targets for urban tree canopy, with emphasis on disadvantaged communities that tend to be most vulnerable to urban heat island effect. These targets shall include urban forest diversity, tree species’ adaptability to anticipated climate change impacts, and other relevant factors.

(4) The department shall assume the primary responsibility in carrying out the intent of this chapter in cooperation with statewide and regional urban forestry organizations or associations and arboricultural organizations or associations, other private and public entities or persons, and appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, including, but not limited to, the Department of Water Resources, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Fish and Game, the Department of Food and Agriculture, regional water quality control boards, regional and local air districts, the University of California Cooperative Extension, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Transportation, resource conservation districts, and the United States Forest Service.

(b) (1) The department shall be the agent of the state and shall have full power to cooperate with those agencies of the federal government that have powers and duties concerning urban forestry and shall perform all things necessary to secure the benefits of federal urban forestry programs.

(2) To facilitate implementation of this chapter, the director may enter into agreements and contracts with a public or private organization including a local agency that has urban forestry-related jurisdictional responsibilities and an established and operating urban forestry program. The director shall consult with those agencies when carrying out this chapter in their respective areas.

(c) The director shall take all feasible steps to prevent or retard the introduction, establishment, and spread of known or potentially damaging or devastating pests and diseases. Any agreement shall ensure that the department will not need additional funds to participate in the program.

(d) The department and the Department of Food and Agriculture shall cooperate in setting quarantine boundary lines and in enforcing the provisions relating to quarantine and pest abatement contained in Division 4 (commencing with Section 5001) of the Food and Agricultural Code when a quarantine is established to prevent the spread of introduced pests and diseases affecting the state’s urban forests.

(e) Whenever it is feasible to do so, the department may utilize inmates and wards assigned to conservation camps or the California Conservation Corps or certified Community Conservation Corps in implementing this chapter.

(f) The department may utilize available recipients of CalWORKs or the General Assistance Program, who are participating in state or county work experience programs for carrying out the purposes of this chapter. The participation of registrants for the welfare-to-work program under the CalWORKs program, under Article 3.2 (commencing with Section 11320) of Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, shall be consistent with their participant contract requirements. A person being utilized by the department pursuant to this subdivision shall not be placed in the same crew as persons utilized pursuant to subdivision (e).

(g) The department shall develop or update regulations as necessary to implement the requirements of this section.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 4. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
(a) (1) The department shall complete a statewide strategic plan, in consultation with nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, other local governments of urban areas, and disadvantaged and low-income communities, to achieve a 10-percent increase of tree canopy cover in urban areas by 2035, with priority for increasing tree canopy cover in disadvantaged and low-income communities and low-canopy areas. The statewide strategic plan shall include recommendations for all of the following:

(A) State and local policies necessary to achieve the goal of increasing tree canopy cover in urban areas by 10 percent by 2035.

(B) Targets and actions for canopy increase to be completed at the regional level by 2030 in a manner that is consistent with paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 4799.10 and that supports the 2035 statewide goal.

(C) Local resources needed for the maintenance and upkeep of urban forests and strategies to secure these resources.

(D) Resources and strategies to address threats to urban forests, including climate change, extreme weather, pollution, drought and limited water resource availability, diseases, and pests.

(E) Sustainable tree canopy expansion within disadvantaged communities and low-income communities.

(F) Measures to reduce or eliminate net loss of any existing tree canopy.

(2) The statewide strategic plan completed by the department pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Legislature on or before June 30, 2025.

(b) The statewide strategic plan submitted to the Legislature pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.

(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section shall be repealed on June 30, 2029.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 186, Sec. 1. (AB 2251) Effective January 1, 2023. Repealed as of June 30, 2029, by its own provisions.)


text:
(a) The department shall provide technical assistance to urban areas with respect to all of the following:

(1) Planning for regional, county, and local land use analysis projects related to urban forestry.

(2) Preparation of urban tree plans and the selection of trees in landscaping and reforestation efforts.

(3) Development and coordination of training programs for neighborhood and local agency tree planting and maintenance crews.

(4) Advice and guidance to cities, counties, districts, and regional entities, homeowner neighborhood groups, and nonprofit organizations on tree disease, insect problems, tree planting, maintenance, and best practices and metrics as developed by the department, for maintaining urban forest health.

(5) The role of forest ecology in planning for the future of urban areas, including climate change and greenhouse gas emission reductions, carbon sequestration, air quality, watershed problems, and energy conservation.

(6) Improvement and enhancement of local water capture for urban forest maintenance.

(7) Retention of native trees and riparian habitats.

(8) Any other matter relating to the purposes of this chapter.

(b) The department and other state agencies are also authorized to assist local tree maintenance and green waste utilization programs by making equipment available on loan where feasible and not detrimental to department or other state agency operations. That equipment may be used only to support regional or local urban forestry efforts consistent with this chapter, including by nonprofit organizations involved in urban tree care or urban green waste utilization efforts.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 5. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
The director, with advice from other appropriate state agencies and interested parties, may make grants to provide assistance of 25 to 90 percent of costs for projects meeting guidelines established by the board upon recommendation by the director. The director may waive the cost sharing requirement for projects that are in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Grants may be made to cities, counties, districts, and nonprofit organizations. The director may also waive the cost sharing requirement if the funding source for a grant prohibits cost sharing requirements. The director may authorize advance payments from a grant awarded to a nonprofit organization that is located in or providing service to disadvantaged or low-income communities. The advance shall not exceed 25 percent of the total grant award. Contributions required as a condition of grants made pursuant to this section may be made in the form of material, services, or equipment, or funds. Authorized assistance may include, but is not limited to, any of the following needs:

(a) Funding for development of urban tree plans that include coordination of local agency efforts and community involvement.

(b) Funding for development of urban tree plans that include coordination of multiple jurisdictions, multiple agency efforts, and community involvement.

(c) Funding for development of urban forest master plans or similar plans designed to provide comprehensive protection, maintenance, and management of the urban forest.

(d) Provision of seedling and tree stock.

(e) Tree planting projects.

(f) Funding and other assistance to local agencies and nonprofit organizations for partnerships as follows:

(1) Energy saving urban forest programs.

(2) Developing projects or programs that use urban forests for water conservation, improving water quality, improved water management, or stormwater capture.

(3) Developing projects or programs that use urban forests for air quality improvement, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, or reduction of urban heat island effect.

(4) Developing community education and engagement programs on the benefits and proper care of trees.

(g) Funding for the development of training and educational materials on the benefits of the urban forest.

(h) Funding for the development of training and educational materials on proper care and maintenance of trees and the urban forest, including young and mature tree care.

(i) Funding and other assistance, based on criteria developed by the department, for management of urban forests to ensure their survival and ability to optimize the benefits that urban forests provide the community and the environment.

(j) Funding and other assistance for demonstration projects in urban forestry with special attention given to projects or programs assisting the state in meeting the requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Division 25.5 (commencing with Section 38500) of the Health and Safety Code), improving energy and water conservation, capturing and filtering urban stormwater and dry weather runoff, improving water quality, utilizing local water, reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and wood and fiber utilization projects, including, but not limited to, biofuel and bioenergy.

(k) Funding for improved urban forest maintenance and projects that respond to events that impact urban forest health, including drought, storms, pests, and disease.

(l) Funding for planning and technical assistance for eligible applicants assisting disadvantaged communities.

(m) Other categories of projects recommended by the director and approved by the board.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 720, Sec. 6. (AB 1530) Effective January 1, 2018.)


text:
(a) Moneys appropriated from the California Community and Neighborhood Tree Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, established pursuant to Section 18735 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, to the department shall be used to fund grants authorized under Section 4799.12. A minimum of 25 percent of the funds shall be used for the needs specified in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (h), and (k) of Section 4799.12 in low-income or disadvantaged communities.

(b) This section shall become inoperative one year after the date on which Article 4 (commencing with Section 18734) of Chapter 3 of Part 10.2 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code becomes inoperative and is repealed on January 1 of the following year.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 2021, Ch. 104, Sec. 2. (SB 347) Effective January 1, 2022. Conditionally inoperative on date prescribed by its own provisions. Repealed on January 1 following the inoperative date.)


text:
(a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury, the Forest Resources Improvement Fund. The money in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund may only be expended, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the cost of operations associated with management of lands held in trust by the state and operated as demonstration state forests by the department pursuant to Section 4646, including restoration activities, and to reimburse the department’s cost of maintaining and improving the campground facilities, associated recreational facilities, natural environment, and access thereto, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 4652.

(b) The Forest Resources Improvement Fund shall be the depository for all revenue derived from the repayment of loans made or interest received pursuant to Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 4790), the receipts from the sale of forest products, as defined in Section 4638, from the state forests to support the operations described in subdivision (a), and revenue received from recreational user fees, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 4652. Money in the fund in excess of the amount needed to support those operations shall be deposited in the General Fund.

(c) The director may accept grants and donations of equipment, seedlings, labor, materials, or funds from any source for the purpose of supporting or facilitating activities undertaken pursuant to this part. Any funds received shall be deposited by the director in the Forest Resources Improvement Fund.

(d) Each proposed expenditure by the department of money from the Forest Resources Improvement Fund shall be included as a separate item and scheduled individually in the Budget Bill for each fiscal year for consideration by the Legislature. These appropriations shall be subject to all of the limitations contained in the Budget Bill and to all other fiscal procedures prescribed by law with respect to the expenditure of state funds.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2010, Ch. 598, Sec. 2. (AB 2351) Effective January 1, 2011.)

chapter: 3. Forest Resources Improvement Fund

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 3. Forest Resources Improvement Fund


text: The department is authorized to conduct surveys, studies, and research concerning the economic and environmental costs, benefits, and feasibility of utilizing wood wastes and forest growth for thermal processes, including, but not limited to, the generation of electrical energy or conversion to solid, gaseous, or liquid fuels for transport or industrial use. Such studies shall include research concerning the cost of gathering and transporting logging wastes and other materials from timber management operations to potential markets and the identification of locations for conversion facilities and forest management operations with high potential for utilization of wood for energy production.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1978, Ch. 1181.)

chapter: 4. Energy Production

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 4. Energy Production


text: The department is further authorized to provide technical and other assistance to public and private agencies and persons with respect to forest management, species selection, and other matters as to which the department has special expertise, in order to encourage and facilitate utilization of wood for energy production.


text: The department shall coordinate its activities and cooperate with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission in the development of surveys, studies, and research concerning the utilization of wood waste and forest growth for energy. The department shall also coordinate its activities with other public and private agencies to insure that the activities of the department and such other agencies are not duplicative and the maximum benefit occurs from actions taken by the department to carry out its responsibilities pursuant to this chapter.


citation: PRC § 4800

text:
It is the intent of the Legislature, in enacting this chapter, to do all of the following:

(a) To provide coordination on wildlife and timberland issues within the Resources Agency.

(b) To improve and coordinate the state data bases for use in analyzing the cumulative impacts of timber harvesting pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (Division 13 (commencing with Section 21000)).

(c) To improve the technical basis upon which the Department of Fish and Game predicates recommendations for mitigating site-specific and cumulative effects on wildlife from timber harvesting activities.

(d) To provide recommendations to the board concerning creation of a list of species of special concern for which additional forest practices rules may be needed.

(e) To provide recommendations to the Fish and Game Commission concerning additions to its list of species that are threatened or endangered.

(f) To provide authority to the state to work cooperatively with the United States Forest Service, including the ability to provide and receive funding for wildlife studies.

history: (History: Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1241, Sec. 1. Effective October 1, 1989.)

chapter: 5. Timberland Wildlife Study

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 5. Timberland Wildlife Study


citation: PRC § 4805

text:
(a) The director shall establish a schedule of user fees for persons using the department’s data base developed pursuant to Section 4802, which does not exceed the reasonable costs for developing, updating, and maintaining the data base.

(b) The department shall utilize its data base for the review of timber harvesting plans as appropriate, and shall permit the use of its data base by timber harvesting plan applicants for the preparation of timber harvesting plans and by other persons, upon request.

(c) Commencing on January 1, 1992, the department shall charge a fee to users of the data base pursuant to this section.


citation: PRC § 4810

text:
For purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall apply:

(a) “Agreement” means the Good Neighbor Authority Agreement entered into between the state and the federal government pursuant to Section 2113a of Title 16 of the United States Code.

(b) “Forest collaborative” means a functioning collaborative group that includes multiple persons or entities representing diverse interests, that is transparent and inclusive, and that has sufficient expertise, capacity, and scientific support to effectively plan, implement, and monitor landscape-level, ecological-based forest restoration activities.

(c) “Fund” means the Good Neighbor Authority Fund, established as specified in Section 4811.

history: (History: Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 232, Sec. 2. (AB 697) Effective January 1, 2022.)

chapter: 6. Good Neighbor Authority Program

path: 4. FORESTS, FORESTRY AND RANGE AND FORAGE LANDS > 6. Good Neighbor Authority Program