CALFIRE ANNOUNCES QUESTION AND ANSWER DOCUMENT

CALFIRE ANNOUNCES QUESTION AND ANSWER DOCUMENT ON NEW

“THP EXTENSION LAW” (AB 1066)

Message From CALFIRE Chief Deputy Director Bill Snyder, December 22, 2009:

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has reviewed Assembly Bill No. 1066, signed by Governor Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009 and effective January 1, 2010.  This Bill revises the provisions allowing for the extension of a Timber Harvesting Plan (THP) on which timber operations have commenced but not been completed pursuant to amended language in the Public Resources Code (PRC) § 4590.  The law now allows THP extensions for up to four years depending on the THP’s completion, expiration or approval date, and will allow extensions which exceed the current two, one-year extensions.  The bill also includes a sunset provision and will be repealed on January 1, 2012 unless other legislation is enacted which extends the effective date.

CAL FIRE has prepared a Question and Answer document to assist in understanding the changes in the law and how they will be implemented and enforced.  Copies of the document will be posted on the CAL FIRE webpage at:

http://www.fire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_forestpractice_pubsmemos_memos.php