A new bill in the California Assembly aims to reduce wildfire risk by streamlining the state’s timber harvesting process.
“California’s current permitting system for timber harvesting is fragmented and cumbersome, creating unnecessary delays that hinder responsible forest management and wildfire prevention efforts,” Assemblyman Chris Ward, who introduced AB 763, said in a statement.
Ward, a Democrat, represents California’s 78th District, which encompasses much of San Diego’s coastal region.
If the legislation is passed, timberland owners would be able to go through a single review system instead of the current process, which involves multiple agencies and departments—for example, CAL Fire, Fish and Wildlife, and regional water boards—each with its own rules and timelines….