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

Important Information on Pacific Fisher and Timber Operations

On November 7, 2012, the California Fish and Game Commission, pursuant to Court Order, set aside its September 15, 2010 rejection of the petition to list the Pacific fisher (Martes pennanti) as threatened or endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). This means that the Pacific fisher is a candidate species under CESA. Candidate species are protected against take per the Fish and Game Code. Anyone conducting timber operations within the range of the Pacific fisher should go to the following link and look at the documents posted under Pacific Fisher for important information:
CAL FIRE Forest Practice Memorandums

Timber Operations in Areas Substantially Damaged Due to Wildland Fires

Please see the following link for a letter to Registered Professional Foresters, Licensed Timber Operators, Review Team Agencies and the Interested Public regarding timber operations in areas substantially damaged due to wildland fires: downloads/Timber_Operations_in_Areas_
Substantially_Damaged_Cover_Letter_101012.pdf.

The link references an attached memorandum, which can be found at the following: downloads/Timber_Operations_in_Areas_
Substantially_Damaged_Due_to_WildlandFires_101012.pdf.

Non-industrial Timber Management Plans: Information for Registered Professional Foresters related to Water Quality and Cumulative Impacts

CAL FIRE has posted a memorandum, which is intended to provide clarification regarding the difference in noticing requirements described in the Forest Practice Act and Rules under PRC § 4594(g) and 14 CCR § 1090.7(h) and (i) for notices of timber operations under a non-industrial timber management plan, and how the cumulative impact assessment evaluation area melds with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board's waste discharge requirements and waivers of waste discharge requirements when considering the beneficial uses of water (http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/northcoast/water_issues/programs/timber_operations/). Understanding this relationship is important to avoid confusion by registered professional foresters, the public, and review agency staff. The memo is found at: downloads/NTMP_Information_for_RPFs_
Related_to_WaterQuality_andCumulativeImpacts_100512.pdf.

AB 1492, the Effective Period of Plans and Plan Extensions

Assembly Bill 1492 was signed by Governor Brown on September 11, 2012 and goes into effect immediately. One of its provisions changes portions of Public Resources Code § 4590 to create the following four categories of plans: 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