Forest Practice

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) enforces the laws that regulate logging on privately-owned lands in California. Forest Practice Act which was enacted in 1973 to ensure that logging is done in a manner that will preserve and protect our fish, wildlife, forests and streams. Additional rules enacted by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection are also enforced to protect these resources.

CAL FIRE ensures that private landowners abide by these laws when harvesting trees. Although there are specific exemptions in some cases, compliance with the Forest Practice Act and Board rules apply to all commercial harvesting operations for landowners of small parcels, to ranchers owning hundreds of acres, and large timber companies with thousands of acres.

The Timber Harvesting Plan (THP) is the environmental review documents submitted by landowners to CAL FIRE outlining what timber he or she wants to harvest, how it will be harvested, and the steps that will be taken to prevent damage to the environment. THPs are prepared by Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) who are licensed to prepare these comprehensive, detailed plans. THPs can range from about 100 pages to more than 500 pages.

CAL FIRE does not have the authority to deny a THP that is in compliance with state and federal rules and laws, simply because the logging plan is unpopular with the public. The Department reviews and approves between 500 to 1400 THPs each year. A THP that does not comply with all forestry and environmental regulations is returned to the RPF. It is only approved after the RPF and landowner agree to make the changes necessary to ensure compliance with all laws. CAL FIRE follows-up on approved THPs with site inspections and can shutdown operations, cite or fine Registered Professional Foresters, Licensed Timber Operators (LTOs), and landowners if illegal operations are found.

What's New

Reminder for 2012 Northern Spotted Owl Survey Season

Alternative to Two-Year Northern Spotted Owl Survey Protocol

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has offered to work with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to review proposals for an optional one-year NSO survey effort this year. The proposals should adhere to current USFWS standards for suitable habitat and take avoidance, should include specific information relative to NSO presence on the project area, and should describe the nature and extent of the proposed timber operations and their effect on NSO and its habitat. Such proposals must be submitted to CAL FIRE by late April, and USFWS and CAL FIRE will review requests prior to completion of this survey season. More...

 

Important Information on Black-backed Woodpecker and Timber Operations

On December 15, 2011, the California Fish and Game Commission accepted for consideration the petition submitted to list the black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus) as threatened or endangered. This action has resulted in this species receiving the interim designation of "candidate species," effective January 6, 2012, under the California Endangered Species Act. Candidate species are protected against take per the Fish and Game Code. Anyone conducting timber operations within the range of the black-backed woodpecker should go to the following link and look at the documents posted under Black-backed Woodpecker for important information:
CAL FIRE Forest Practice Memorandums

Important Information on Humboldt Marten and Timber Operations

On January 12, 2012, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) found a petition to list the Humboldt marten (Martes americana humboldtensis) under the Endangered Species Act in coastal northern California presents substantial information indicating that listing may be warranted. While USFWS conducts its status review of the species, anyone conducting timber operations within the range of the Humboldt marten should go to the following link and look at the documents posted under Humboldt marten for important information:
CAL FIRE Forest Practice Memorandums