Application of SB 901 – as applied to easements (purchased with State Funds) For Sonoma County Forest Conservation Working Group
Leg Analyst summary – below
“This bill would require, for any conservation easement purchased with state funds on or after January 1, 2019, wherein land subject to the easement includes some forest lands, or consists completely of forest lands, to the extent not in conflict with federal law, the terms of any applicable bond, or the requirements of any other funding source, the landowner shall agree, as part of the easement, to maintain and improve forest health through promotion of a more natural tree density, species composition, structure, and habitat function, to make improvements that increase the land’s ability to provide resilient, long-term carbon sequestration and net carbon stores as well as watershed functions, to provide for the retention of larger trees and a natural range of age classes, and to ensure the growth and retention of such larger trees over time. “
Requirements:
Natural Tree Density and species composition, forest structure and habitat function – as part of resiliency and added carbon stores and watershed protection.
Let us not forget that almost all north coast streams are listed as impaired (pollutants – sediment, temperature, and lack of DO) – where the land use of timber harvest is the primary activity responsible for the degradation of our riverine resources. (Grapes are not helping in certain watersheds)
Healthy, multi-aged classed forests are the best defense against global warming (other than getting rid of automobiles). Perpetrating further damage to our forests will only result in more severe climate change = more devastating fires.