AB 744 was intended to show in a pilot program setting, that easing some of those restrictions, including raising the diameter limit of the trees eligible for removal from a stand, could result in more forest management work without unduly harmful consequences on the environment. However, in the final days of the last year’s legislative session, only certain less controversial counties were included in the pilot program. AB 2142 extends the reach of this pilot program into additional coastal counties previously omitted in AB 744. RCRC supported each of these measures, and advocated strongly last year to include the coastal forested counties in AB 744. The provisions of AB 2142 will become law January 1, 2015.
AB 1867 (Patterson), another THP exemption measure dealing with defensible space work, still awaits action by the Governor. The Governor has until midnight on September 30, 2014 to sign or veto all the measures received by him at the end of session.