Assembly Member Ward's timber harvesting legislation aims to accelerate regulatory approvals while maintaining environmental oversight requirements. The measure would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue streambed agreements within 5 working days after the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection approves a timber harvesting plan, replacing the current 60-day timeline.
The bill establishes specific documentation requirements for timber harvesting plans, including detailed information about equipment usage, environmental impacts, and operational schedules. Plans must outline the volume and type of materials to be removed, water diversion specifications, construction equipment details, vegetation impacts, site diagrams, and project timeframes. Additionally, regional water quality control boards that have adopted general waste discharge requirements would need to authorize compliant timber operations within 5 working days of receiving complete applications.
These changes would affect multiple stakeholders in California's timber industry. Regulatory agencies would operate under compressed timelines for reviewing and approving permits, while timber operators would need to provide more comprehensive documentation upfront. The legislation maintains existing environmental protection standards while modifying the administrative processes for implementing them.
![]() Chris WardD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted |
This bill was recently introduced. Email the authors to let them know what you think about it.
Assembly Member Ward's timber harvesting legislation aims to accelerate regulatory approvals while maintaining environmental oversight requirements. The measure would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue streambed agreements within 5 working days after the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection approves a timber harvesting plan, replacing the current 60-day timeline.
The bill establishes specific documentation requirements for timber harvesting plans, including detailed information about equipment usage, environmental impacts, and operational schedules. Plans must outline the volume and type of materials to be removed, water diversion specifications, construction equipment details, vegetation impacts, site diagrams, and project timeframes. Additionally, regional water quality control boards that have adopted general waste discharge requirements would need to authorize compliant timber operations within 5 working days of receiving complete applications.
These changes would affect multiple stakeholders in California's timber industry. Regulatory agencies would operate under compressed timelines for reviewing and approving permits, while timber operators would need to provide more comprehensive documentation upfront. The legislation maintains existing environmental protection standards while modifying the administrative processes for implementing them.
![]() Chris WardD Assembly Member | Bill Author | Not Contacted |