California Public Resources Code

§ 4790

PRC § 4790 Effective Jan 1, 2001Div. 4 · Part 2.5 · Ch. 1

Statute text

The Legislature finds and declares that:

(a)Forest lands, while often managed to produce wood fiber for building materials and paper manufacture, also provide public benefits, including employment opportunities in both rural and urban areas, renewable energy, protection and enhancement of air, water, and soil resources, fish and wildlife habitat, and opportunities for aesthetic and recreational enjoyment.

(b)Historically, substantial areas of forest land were not reforested or otherwise managed for optimum production of forest resources following harvest operations, wildfires, unsuccessful attempts to clear the land for other uses, or damage by insects, disease, or other natural catastrophes. As a result, an estimated five million acres of public and private forest land in the state are producing substantially less forest resources than their potential. These areas are inadequately stocked with trees or are occupied by damaged or diseased trees or species of less value for sawtimber and other forest products. Some lands also have suffered from or are threatened with depletion by soil erosion. Water quality and quantity has suffered and fish habitats have also been adversely affected. In areas where forest regeneration has occurred, the present forest stand would often produce significantly greater timber supplies if thinning or other forest improvement investments were made.

…

Legislative history

Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 409, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.