RCRC has expressed support for Assembly Bill 431, authored by Assembly Member Jim Patterson (R-Fresno). Currently, state law exempts tree removal for the purposes of complying with defensible space requirements from state timber harvesting plan (THP) provisions. The exemptions are slated to expire on January 1, 2022, which would make it more difficult for residents in high fire risk areas to safeguard their homes from high severity wildfires.
AB 431 seeks to extend the THP exemption to January 1, 2026 to allow private residents to continue to safeguard their homes and property by easing their ability to comply with defensibly space requirements without the burden going through the THP process. RCRC’s letter is attached. For more information, contact Staci Heaton, RCRC Senior Regulatory Affairs Advocate, by email or call (916) 447-4806.
The Honorable Luz M. Rivas
Chair, Assembly Natural Resources Committee State Capitol, Room 3126
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Assembly Bill 431 (Patterson) – SUPPORT As Introduced February 4, 2021
Dear Assembly Member Rivas:
On behalf of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), I am writing to express our support for Assembly Bill 431, authored by Assembly Member Jim Patterson, which extends the sunset for certain timber harvest plan (THP) exemptions for activities related to cutting or removing trees in compliance with defensible space laws. RCRC is an association of thirty-five rural California counties, and the RCRC Board of Directors is comprised of elected supervisors from each member county.
RCRC member counties contain much of California’s forested lands, including more than 70 percent of the State’s national forest lands. Many RCRC member counties’ residents live in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and must comply with the State’s defensible space law in order to protect their homes in the event of wildfire. For those homeowners, many THP requirements are onerous and frankly unnecessary, as THP preparation is primarily intended for commercial timber harvest and large-scale tree removal projects. Requiring homeowners to comply with THP requirements for the purposes of defensible space practices is especially impractical in the wake of recent catastrophic wildfire events, and is a barrier to residents in the wildland urban interface being able to fully safeguard their homes. RCRC supports AB 431, as it will extend the sunset to on THP exemptions to 2026, making it easier for homeowners in the SRA to remove overgrowth, fire-proof their homes and promote compliance with defensible space law.
For the above reasons, RCRC respectfully requests your ‘Aye’ vote when this measure is heard before your Committee. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at sheaton@rcrcnet.org or (916) 447-4806.
1215 K Street, Suite 1650, Sacramento, CA 95814 | www.rcrcnet.org | 916.447.4806 | Fax: 916.448.3154
ALPINE AMADOR BUTTE CALAVERAS COLUSA DEL NORTE EL DORADO GLENN HUMBOLDT IMPERIAL INYO LAKE LASSEN MADERA MARIPOSA MENDOCINO MERCED MODOC MONO MONTEREY NAPA NEVADA PLACER PLUMAS SAN BENITO SAN LUIS OBISPO SHASTA SIERRA SISKIYOU SONOMA SUTTER TEHAMA TRINITY TULARE TUOLUMNE YOLO YUBA
The Honorable Luz M. Rivas Assembly Bill 431
February 12, 2021
Page 2
Sincerely,
STACI HEATON Regulatory Affairs Advocate
cc: The Honorable Jim Patterson, Member of the State Assembly The Honorable James Gallagher, Member of the State Assembly Members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee Consultant, Assembly Natural Resources Committee
Kirstin Kolpitcke, Consultant, Assembly Republican Caucus
AB 431 seeks to extend the THP exemption to January 1, 2026 to allow private residents to continue to safeguard their homes and property by easing their ability to comply with defensibly space requirements without the burden going through the THP process. RCRC’s letter is attached. For more information, contact Staci Heaton, RCRC Senior Regulatory Affairs Advocate, by email or call (916) 447-4806.
The Honorable Luz M. Rivas
Chair, Assembly Natural Resources Committee State Capitol, Room 3126
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: Assembly Bill 431 (Patterson) – SUPPORT As Introduced February 4, 2021
Dear Assembly Member Rivas:
On behalf of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), I am writing to express our support for Assembly Bill 431, authored by Assembly Member Jim Patterson, which extends the sunset for certain timber harvest plan (THP) exemptions for activities related to cutting or removing trees in compliance with defensible space laws. RCRC is an association of thirty-five rural California counties, and the RCRC Board of Directors is comprised of elected supervisors from each member county.
RCRC member counties contain much of California’s forested lands, including more than 70 percent of the State’s national forest lands. Many RCRC member counties’ residents live in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and must comply with the State’s defensible space law in order to protect their homes in the event of wildfire. For those homeowners, many THP requirements are onerous and frankly unnecessary, as THP preparation is primarily intended for commercial timber harvest and large-scale tree removal projects. Requiring homeowners to comply with THP requirements for the purposes of defensible space practices is especially impractical in the wake of recent catastrophic wildfire events, and is a barrier to residents in the wildland urban interface being able to fully safeguard their homes. RCRC supports AB 431, as it will extend the sunset to on THP exemptions to 2026, making it easier for homeowners in the SRA to remove overgrowth, fire-proof their homes and promote compliance with defensible space law.
For the above reasons, RCRC respectfully requests your ‘Aye’ vote when this measure is heard before your Committee. If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at sheaton@rcrcnet.org or (916) 447-4806.
1215 K Street, Suite 1650, Sacramento, CA 95814 | www.rcrcnet.org | 916.447.4806 | Fax: 916.448.3154
ALPINE AMADOR BUTTE CALAVERAS COLUSA DEL NORTE EL DORADO GLENN HUMBOLDT IMPERIAL INYO LAKE LASSEN MADERA MARIPOSA MENDOCINO MERCED MODOC MONO MONTEREY NAPA NEVADA PLACER PLUMAS SAN BENITO SAN LUIS OBISPO SHASTA SIERRA SISKIYOU SONOMA SUTTER TEHAMA TRINITY TULARE TUOLUMNE YOLO YUBA
The Honorable Luz M. Rivas Assembly Bill 431
February 12, 2021
Page 2
Sincerely,
STACI HEATON Regulatory Affairs Advocate
cc: The Honorable Jim Patterson, Member of the State Assembly The Honorable James Gallagher, Member of the State Assembly Members of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee Consultant, Assembly Natural Resources Committee
Kirstin Kolpitcke, Consultant, Assembly Republican Caucus
