BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 2082 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 30, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 2082 (Dahle) - As Introduced: February 20, 2014 Policy Committee: Natural ResourcesVote:9-0 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: SUMMARY This bill deletes current stocking standards in statute and instead authorizes the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) to adopt alternative post-timber harvesting stocking standards if those standards are necessary to address variables in forest characteristics. FISCAL EFFECT Minor, absorbable costs for the Board to include new standards in their ongoing regulatory process. COMMENTS 1)Rationale. Seedling stocking standards are designed to ensure forest lands are adequately maintained after timber harvesting occurs. Existing stocking standards in the Forest Practices Act are prescriptive and have not been updated since the creation of the Act in 1973. Since then, due to improved nursery, handling and planting operations, seedling survival rates have increased from less than 50% to more than 90%. Increased seedling survival has led to elevated tree densities and the need for thinning operations for optimal growth and to reduce wildfire risk. This bill allows the Board to adjust stocking standards as necessary to address changes in climate, precipitation, and planting practices. 2)Background. The Forest Practices Act prohibits timber AB 2082 Page 2 operations unless a timber harvest plan (THP) is prepared by a registered professional forester and approved by the Director of CALFIRE or the Board. Within five years after completion of timber operations, the area covered by the THP is required to be stocked according to minimum stocking standards provided by law. The Board may adopt higher minimum stocking standards if the Board determines the standards are necessary to address specific resource and environmental quality issues. In order to adopt higher standards, the Board must adopt standards for each district, after a public hearing. The Board is not currently authorized to adopt standards lower than the minimum provided by law. Analysis Prepared by : Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916) 319-2081