Federal, State Orders Aim to Speed Forest Management, Reduce Wildfire Risk by ACWA Staff Mar 5, 2025 Water News SACRAMENTO — Orders issued at the state and federal level during the past weekend have the goal of reducing permitting and regulatory barriers that may impede forest management projects aimed at reducing wildfire risk, a key component in enhancing California’s headwater health, an ACWA priority issue. Gov. Gavin Newsom on March 1 proclaimed a state of emergency to fast-track eligible critical wildfire prevention projects statewide, ahead of peak fire season. The proclamation “will cut bureaucratic red tape – including suspending CEQA and the Coastal Act – that is slowing down critical forest management projects,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. The news release announcing Newsom’s proclamation highlighted recent firestorms that devastated entire communities in Los Angeles as a motivating factor. It also outlines similar actions undertaken by Newsom in March 2019 to expedite forest management projects ahead of challenging fire seasons in 2019 and 2020. Also on March 1, the Trump Administration released an Executive Order titled “Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production.” This order seeks to increase domestic timber production, calls for legislative approaches to streamline Endangered Species Act reviews to expedite forestry projects, and consider new categorical exclusions for timber production, forest management, wildfire risk reduction treatments, and timber thinning. Specifically, the order directs certain federal agencies to: 1. Issue guidance and legislative proposals to increase timber production and forest management within 30 days 2. Determine a strategy to expedite forestry projects under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) within 60 days 3. Complete the Whitebark Pine Rangewide Consultation under section 7 of the ESA within 120 days 4. Consider and adopt categorical exclusions for timber production, forest management, and wildfire risk reduction treatments within 180 days, as well as categorical exclusions for timber thinning and salvage activities within 280 days 5. Eliminate undue delays and burdens for permitting processes related to timber production 6. Streamline Endangered Species Act reviews and consultations to expedite forestry projects, including through the use of ESA emergency regulations 7. Develop a report that identifies obstacles to timber production infrastructure due to ESA implementation with recommendations for procedural, regulatory, and interagency improvements. ACWA staff in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. will continue to follow developments and advocate on member agencies’ behalf as these directives are implemented.
