California Environmental Quality Act: vegetation fuel management project exemption.

Assembly Member Bryan's proposal to exempt certain vegetation management projects from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review establishes specific criteria for fuel reduction activities in high fire risk zones. The exemption applies to projects within five miles of structures in very high fire hazard severity zones, as designated by state fire authorities, when undertaken by public agencies or required by local ordinance.

The legislation defines eligible vegetation management activities based on plant characteristics and fire risk factors. Projects may only remove non-native vegetation up to eight inches in diameter that meets specified criteria, including invasive species, dead or poorly maintained plants, and vegetation prone to fire due to chemical composition or physical structure. The bill requires timing restrictions to protect endangered and sensitive species during project implementation.

Lead agencies must file a notice of exemption with the Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation when approving exempt activities. While the bill creates new administrative responsibilities for local agencies to evaluate projects and file required notices, it allows them to levy fees or assessments to cover associated costs rather than requiring state reimbursement. This maintains local control over implementation while establishing consistent standards for vegetation management activities that balance fire prevention needs with environmental protections.