SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Assemblymember Chris Rogers (D-Santa Rosa) introduced AB 2494 to modernize the operations of the demonstration state forest system. In California, there are 14 demonstration forests managed by the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including two within Assembly District 2. The management principles for the demonstration state forest system have not been modified in decades and current regulations do not reflect the state’s climate resiliency goals.
The updated management principles in this bill align with Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20 and help meet California’s 30x30 initiative by encouraging ecological restoration and building resilience to climate change and wildfires within demonstration state forests. This bill ensures that the protection of ecological conditions within demonstration state forest lands are prioritized by declaring that these lands be used primarily for research, recreation, and demonstration purposes. The updates under this bill are critical to support rural economies in transitioning away from dwindling extractive economies and instead enhancing ecotourism in these communities.
“Our demonstration state forest system contains precious old growth redwoods and allows for innovative research around wildfire resiliency and watershed restoration,” said Assemblymember Rogers. “This bill aligns with Governor Newsom’s 30x30 conservation framework and prioritizes the environment, recreation, scientific research and addressing climate change as the main focuses for the state to manage our public lands.”
AB 2494 moves the state away from relying solely on timber harvesting to manage the demonstration state forest system. Under AB 2494, the sale of timber and other forest products will still be allowed, but as a biproduct of ecological restoration or research projects. This bill will also allow funds from the Timber Regulation and Forest Restoration Fund to be used to maintain demonstration state forests.
“I commend Assemblymember Rogers leadership in aligning California’s management of its demonstration forests with the priorities shared by the state and Mendocino County,” said Supervisor Ted Williams, Fifth District Supervisor for Mendocino County. “Like many rural communities, Mendocino County is struggling. As we transition away from an economy that relies primarily on extractive industries, which no longer provide sustainable support for our residents, we must expand opportunities for revenue and job creation. By directing the state to manage demonstration forests for public access, tribal co-management, climate resilience, and biodiversity, we can attract additional user groups such as mountain bikers, mushroom foragers, hikers, birdwatchers, and others to help steward our public lands and support resilient rural economies.”
"Tribal nations and Indigenous communities have long faced barriers to caring for their ancestral homelands since colonization—including being shut out of true co-management and limited in bringing Traditional Ecological Knowledge into California’s State Demonstration Forests. Updating the State Demonstration Forests Act is a major step toward changing that. I’m thrilled to see Assemblymember Rogers push for greater inclusion of tribal sovereignty in how our state forests are managed. This is an impactful step towards educating the public regarding Tribal Sovereignty and historical trauma and its effects today, as well as providing acknowledgement of those Tribes and once known villages impacted by antiquated laws. Inviting and including Native voices through partnership and co-management is how we will make systemic changes in land management,” stated Buffie Campbell, Executive Director, Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council (enrolled member Sherwood Valley, descendant of Noyo Reservation and Yokayo Rancheria; Northern Pomo).
"EPIC thanks Assemblymember Rogers for his leadership on helping California reach its 30x30 goals by modernizing how we manage our own forests. California’s state-owned forests should be managed for all of its people. Under state law, however, these lands are directed to be cut and sold by private timber companies. AB 2494 would enable CalFire to manage our forests to help meet California’s 21st Century priorities by redirecting management towards objectives that benefit all—protecting wildlife, sequestering and storing carbon, and providing recreational opportunities—while still allowing for timber production that is a byproduct of forest restoration activities. This legislation would also open the door for state demonstration forests to count towards 30x30 —which Gov Newsom has championed on the global stage and is more important now than ever before as we continue to grapple with the climate crisis. As long-time supporters of 30x30 and forest protection, we are proud to support this bill,” said Melodie Meyer, Conservation Attorney, EPIC.
