AB-763
Natural Resources & Water

Timber harvesting: streambed agreement: waste discharge requirements.

Introduced
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires state agencies to approve timber harvesting plans within 5 working days instead of 60 days.
  • Mandates detailed documentation of equipment, water usage, and environmental impacts in harvesting plans.
  • Establishes faster waste discharge authorizations for approved timber operations.

Summary

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.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
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Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Chris Ward
Chris WardD
California State Assembly Member
10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Takeaways

  • Requires state agencies to approve timber harvesting plans within 5 working days instead of 60 days.
  • Mandates detailed documentation of equipment, water usage, and environmental impacts in harvesting plans.
  • Establishes faster waste discharge authorizations for approved timber operations.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Chris Ward
Chris WardD
California State Assembly Member

Summary

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.

10% progression
Bill has been formally introduced and read for the first time in its house of origin (2/18/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 3 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 1
Select All Legislators
Profile
Chris WardD
Assembly Member
Bill Author
Profile
Diane PapanD
Assembly Member
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assembly Member
Committee Member