Bill Text: CA AB1252 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Forestry: timber harvesting plans.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-02-02 - From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [AB1252 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB1252-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 1252	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 5, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 13, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Portantino
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Huffman)

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to add Section 4592.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to forestry.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1252, as amended, Portantino. Forestry: timber harvesting
plans.
   Existing law requires a person conducting timber operations to
prepare and submit to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
a timber harvesting plan, and authorizes a person who intends to
become a nonindustrial tree farmer to file with the department a
nonindustrial management plan, prepared by a registered professional
forester.
   This bill would require the Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection, on or before July 1, 2010, to establish a uniform 
searchable  database on  the   its 
Internet  Web site  containing timber harvest plans and
nonindustrial timber management plans submitted to the department for
logging projects proposed to be conducted on nonfederal and private
land in the state.  The department would be required to post any
comment letters on those plans from relevant state agencies or
departments no later than 7 days after receipt.  The bill would
also require the department, by January 1, 2011, to post past timber
harvest plans  dating back to those approved in 2005 for all
regions  on  the   its  Internet 
Web site  .  The bill would require by January 1, 2012, the
department to report to the Legislature on the feasibility of posting
timber harvesting plans approved in 2004 and earlier on its Internet
Web site. 
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 4592.5 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read: 
   4592.5.  (a) On or before July 1, 2010, the department shall
establish a uniform database on the Internet containing timber
harvest plans and nonindustrial timber management plans submitted to
the department for logging projects proposed to be conducted on
nonfederal and private land in the state.
   (b) The department shall design the database to allow the public
to focus a search of the database according to a geographical region,
affected watershed, or other parameter that the department
determines useful.
   (c) On and after July 1, 2010, the 15-day comment period required
pursuant to Section 4582.7 shall not commence until the complete
timber harvesting plan, including suggested mitigation methods from
relevant agencies and departments, has been posted pursuant to this
section.
   (d) On or before January 1, 2011, the department shall post past
timber harvest plans on the Internet to allow the public to focus a
search of the department's database according to a geographical
region, affected watershed, or other parameter that the department
determines useful.  
   4592.5.  (a) On or before July 1, 2010, the department shall
establish a uniform database on its Internet Web site containing
timber harvest plans and nonindustrial timber management plans
submitted to the department for logging projects proposed to be
conducted on nonfederal and private land in the state in order to
streamline public notification requirements and allow the public
sufficient time to review and comment on these plans. The department
shall also post any comment letters, including suggested mitigation
measures, on the those plans from relevant state agencies or
departments no later than seven days after receipt.
   (b) The department shall design the database using a user-friendly
graphic interface. The database shall be searchable according to
geographical region, affected watershed, and other parameters that
the department determines are useful to the public.
   (c) On and after July 1, 2010, the comment periods required
pursuant to Section 4582.7 shall not commence until the complete
timber harvest plan or nonindustrial timber management plan has been
posted pursuant to this section.
   (d) On or before January 1, 2011, the department shall post past
timber harvest plans dating back to those approved in 2005 for all
regions on its Internet Web site to allow the public to focus a
search of the department's database according to a geographical
region, affected watershed, and other parameters that the department
determines useful.
   (e) By January 1, 2012, the department shall report to the
Legislature on the feasibility of posting on its Internet Web site
timber harvesting plans approved in 2004 and earlier.