The Working Forest Management Plan (WFMP) was approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2013. The Board of Forestry worked approximately three (3) years to develop regulations that were adopted in 2017. Shortly after the regulations were adopted an entity called the Coastal Action Group (CAG) filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court asserting the regulations violated the Forest Practice Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, and CEQA. The judge found in favor of the CAG on two issues. The case was appealed by the Board of Forestry. In addition, the Legislature amended the WFMP in 2018 to reduce the maximum size of the plan from 15,000 to 10,000 acres and addressed the need for information regarding erosion control in the plan. The Board passed amended regulations in February 2019. The Appeals Court ruled in favor of the Board on August 22 and remanded the trial court to reverse its earlier findings. A link to the Appellate decision is included below. As an aside, the first WFMP has been submitted and is under review by Cal Fire and other state agencies.
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Current Year
Appellate Decision on WFMP Case
Good News -- Exemptions and NTMPs
CAL FIRE has reversed its policy change regarding the acceptance of exemptions for NTMPs. Please refer to the link below to view the letter from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Ken Pimlott) to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Keith Gilless).
Should you have any questions, please send an email to the FLC Legislative Committee at legchair@forestlandowners.org.
Letter and Supporting Content from CAL FIRE to Board of Forestry
Legislative Committee Assignments
Public Policy Institute of California
The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) issued a report in mid-September on the status of forest health in the Headwaters Forests. On September 20, there was a panel debriefing on the report. Click on the links below to download the documents.
If you are interested in wathcing the panel debrief, the video is posted on the PPIC's website: