1991 RESOLUTIONS
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| |
FORESTRY
REFORM IN CALIFORNIA |
| An initiative to reform
logging practices supported by conservationists (prop 130) was narrowly
defeated on the November 1990 ballot. An initiative sponsored by
the timber industry to retain the status quo was defeated by a large
margin. In the aftermath, the two sides began a process of
negotiation which resulted in a compromise agreement. The
agreement was taken to the State Legislature where four authors divided
the agreement into four bills. |
|
| The bills, supported by
major environmental groups and at least 60% of the timber industry
represent a giant step forward toward more balanced sustainable
management of our forest lands. |
|
| The bills would reduce the
allowable clearcut size from 120 acres down to 20 acres. The
amount clearcut in a watershed would be limited for the first time in
any State's history to 15% of ownership in a watershed in 10
years. The area between clearcuts would be increased.
Sustained yield would be required that no more is cut than grown.
Clearcutting of ancient forests would be prohibited. Improved
stream protection rules would be required and greatly increase streams
protection zones. For the first time, it would be required that
15% of every ownership be in trees that are mature or overmature for
wildlife. The amount that could be cut in a watershed by methods
other than clearcutting would be limited to control adverse cumulative
impacts. |
|
| All four bills have passed
their first reading. When the Legislature reconvenes on August
19, two bills will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources Committee
and two will be heard in the Assembly Natural Resources
Committee. The Legislature must finish the work by September
13. The bills will pass or fail by that date. |
|
| The four bills are called
"The Four Bill Forestry Reform Package". They are all linked to
each other. The bills are SB 854 (Senator Barry Keene), SB 300
(Senator Dan McCorquodale), AB 714 (Assemblyman Byron Sher), AB 641
(Assemblyman Dan Hauser). |
|
| The Federation of
Western
Outdoor Clubs recommends the enactment of "The Four Bill Forestry
Reform Package", SB 854 (Keene), SB 300 (McCorquodale), AB 714 (Sher),
and AB 641 (Hauser). |
|
| c: Senators and
Assemblypersons |
|
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