BILL ANALYSIS Ó
SB 1386
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Date of Hearing: August 3, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Lorena Gonzalez, Chair
SB 1386
(Wolk) - As Amended August 1, 2016
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|Policy |Natural Resources |Vote:|7 - 1 |
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill declares it is the policy of the state that the
protection and management of natural and working lands is an
important strategy in meeting the state's greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions reduction goals. Additionally, this bill:
1)Requires all state agencies, departments, boards, and
commissions to consider this policy when revising, adopting,
or establishing policies, regulations, expenditures, or grant
criteria relating to the protection and management of natural
and working lands. Requires agencies to implement this policy
in conjunction with its strategies to meet GHG reduction goals
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and promote cooperation with owners of natural and working
lands.
2)Defines "working lands" to mean lands used for farming,
grazing, or the production of forest products.
3)Defines "natural lands" to means lands consisting of forests,
grasslands, deserts, freshwater and riparian systems,
wetlands, coastal and estuarine areas, watersheds, wildlands,
wildlife habitat, or lands used for recreational purposes as
specified.
4)Provides nothing in this bill affects the existing authority
of a local government, state agency, department, commission,
or board relating to natural and working lands.
FISCAL EFFECT:
Minor, absorbable costs.
COMMENTS:
1)Purpose. According to the author, the conservation and
management of natural and working lands is a key strategy
in California's ongoing efforts to meet its climate
change goals given these sectors' significant potential
for removing carbon from the air and storing or
sequestering it in, above, and below ground.
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The author contends that despite the enormous
sequestration potential, the protection and management of
natural and working lands is not codified as a state
policy that would last beyond this Administration. This
bill codifies as state policy California's strategy to
protect and manage natural and working lands as a key
part of the effort to achieve our climate change goals.
2)Natural and Working Lands. Three-quarters of California's
landmass is comprised of biologically diverse landscapes such
as forests, woodlands, shrublands, grasslands and wetlands.
These lands can be a major source of sequestration through
capturing carbon in soils, plants, and trees. They can also
be a source of GHG emissions when drought, disease, wildfires,
soil disturbances, conversion, and harvests occur. Through
preservation and management, natural and working lands can
provide significant GHG reductions. Natural and working lands
are also susceptible to climate change impacts of sea level
rise, drought, and increased temperatures.
Analysis Prepared by:Jennifer Galehouse / APPR. / (916)
319-2081
SB 1386
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