Sacramento – Senator Cathleen Galgiani announces the passage of SB 632 into law following the signature of Governor Gavin Newsom. The measure jumpstarts fire fighters’ efforts to manage the state’s vegetation in preparation of fire season.
“Given the growing danger to our state from wildfires, this is an important step in fire preparedness and prevention,” said Galgiani. “We need the data and direction that this report can give us now, more than ever.”
Specifically, the new law requires the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection to certify an environmental impact report for a vegetation treatment program by February 1, 2020 – which will give Cal Fire time to analyze the results before the fire season kicks into gear.
It was twelve years ago that the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection proposed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for a Vegetation Treatment Program as part of a comprehensive fire prevention strategy. Certifying the report by February completes the updating process.
“With year after year of record-breaking wildfires, fire-related deaths, acres burned, and structures destroyed, it was clear that an updated report on changes to the California’s landscape has never been greater,” noted Senator Galgiani.
Having been signed by the Governor, SB 632 will go into effect on January 1, 2020.