Forestry: timber operations: maintenance of timberlands for fuels reduction.

Assembly Member Patterson's forestry management proposal would allow up to 35 noncommercial wildfire fuel reduction projects annually on California timberlands to utilize streamlined environmental review processes. The measure permits projects under 1,000 acres that receive public funding to submit timber harvesting plans to satisfy California Environmental Quality Act requirements.

The bill creates a specific exemption within the Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973, which typically requires comprehensive timber harvesting plans approved by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection before any timber operations can proceed. While maintaining oversight through the timber harvesting plan process, the measure establishes an alternative compliance pathway for qualifying fuel reduction efforts. The provisions apply only to noncommercial projects focused on reducing wildfire fuel loads, rather than timber harvesting for commercial purposes.

Local agencies and school districts would not receive state reimbursement for costs associated with implementing the measure, as the bill's changes relate to criminal provisions rather than direct mandates. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection would continue its role in reviewing and approving timber harvesting plans for authorized projects, with violations remaining subject to misdemeanor penalties under existing forestry regulations.