Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and requires the department to be responsible for, among other things, fire protection and prevention, as provided. Existing law establishes the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force and requires the task force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the states Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan issued by the task force in January 2021.

Existing law declares that the department has extensive technical expertise in wildland fire prevention and vegetation management on forest, range, and watershed land, and, when appropriately applied, this expertise can have significant public resource benefits, including decreasing high-intensity wildland fires, improving watershed management, and improving carbon resilience, among other benefits.

This bill would require the task force, or its successor, to develop, in partnership with the agency and its member entities, an interagency funding strategy that promotes integrated, multiple benefit projects that address wildfire, watershed function, biodiversity, and climate adaptation and mitigation, to achieve landscape resilience on fire-prone lands and outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach, as defined.

The bill would require the agency and other relevant state entities to review and update relevant grant guidelines for certain climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage multiple benefit projects. The bill would also require the programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience. The bill would further require, to the extent feasible, investments in natural and working lands to be guided by Californias Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and requires the department to be responsible for, among other things, fire protection and prevention, as provided. Existing law establishes the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force and requires the task force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the states Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan issued by the task force in January 2021.

Existing law declares that the department has extensive technical expertise in wildland fire prevention and vegetation management on forest, range, and watershed land, and, when appropriately applied, this expertise can have significant public resource benefits, including decreasing high-intensity wildland fires, improving watershed management, and improving carbon resilience, among other benefits.

This bill would require the task force force, or its successor, to develop, in partnership with the agency, agency and its member entities, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, as specified, with forest resilience planning efforts to achieve that promotes integrated, multiple benefit projects that address wildfire, watershed function, biodiversity, and climate adaptation and mitigation, to achieve landscape resilience on fire-prone lands and outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach, as defined.

The bill would require the agency and other relevant state entities to review and update relevant grant guidelines for certain climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage multibenefit multiple benefit projects. The bill would also require the programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience. The bill would further require, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs. investments in natural and working lands to be guided by Californias Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and requires the department to be responsible for, among other things, fire protection and prevention, as provided. Existing law establishes the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force and requires the task force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the states Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan issued by the task force in January 2021.

Existing law declares that the department has extensive technical expertise in wildland fire prevention and vegetation management on forest, range, and watershed land, and, when appropriately applied, this expertise can have significant public resource benefits, including decreasing high-intensity wildland fires, improving watershed management, and improving carbon resilience, among other benefits.

This bill would require the task force to develop, in partnership with the agency, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, as specified, with forest resilience planning efforts to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes. outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach, as defined.

The bill would require the agency and other relevant state entities to review and update relevant grant guidelines for certain climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. multibenefit projects. The bill would also require the programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience. The bill would further require, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and requires the department to be responsible for, among other things, fire protection and prevention, as provided. Existing law establishes the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force and requires the task force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the states Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan issued by the task force in January 2021.

Existing law declares that the department has extensive technical expertise in wildland fire prevention and vegetation management on forest, range, and watershed land, and, when appropriately applied, this expertise can have significant public resource benefits, including decreasing high-intensity wildland fires, improving watershed management, and improving carbon resilience, among other benefits.

This bill would require the task force to develop, in partnership with the agency, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, as specified, with forest resilience planning efforts to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.

The bill would require the agency and other relevant state entities to review and update grant guidelines for certain climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. The bill would also require the programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience. The bill would further require, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

Existing law establishes in the Natural Resources Agency the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and requires the department to be responsible for, among other things, fire protection and prevention, as provided. Existing law establishes the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force and requires the task force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the states Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan issued by the task force in January 2021.

Existing law declares that the department has extensive technical expertise in wildland fire prevention and vegetation management on forest, range, and watershed land, and, when appropriately applied, this expertise can have significant public resource benefits, including decreasing high-intensity wildland fires, improving watershed management, and improving carbon resilience, among other benefits.

This bill would require the state to align watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience actions to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes. The bill would require the state to coordinate relevant boards, departments, and other stakeholders to incorporate planning for permanent conservation into forest and watershed restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and managed for climate resilience. task force to develop, in partnership with the agency, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, as specified, with forest resilience planning efforts to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.

The bill would also require the agency and other relevant state agencies entities to align the grant guidelines of review and update grant guidelines for certain climate change, forest, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs at state boards and departments to promote greater program coordination and more integrated planning and outcomes. to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. The bill would also require the programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience. The bill would further require, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

Existing law provides that it is the goal of the state to conserve at least 30% of Californias lands and coastal waters by 2030.

This bill would make a nonsubstantive change to this provision.

GOVERNOR'S VETO

GV Bill Id:AB 3023

Author:(Papan)

As Enrolled Ver:September 5, 2024

2/3 vote

SUMMARY

Requires the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to develop an interagency funding strategy to promote integrated, multiple benefit projects to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach, and requires the California Natural Resources Agency (NRA) to review and update relevant grant guidelines for specified programs to encourage multi-benefit projects.

Senate Amendments

1. State the intent of the Legislature that the state create an interagency funding strategy through the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan to coordinate and align state and federal wildfire, watershed restoration, biodiversity, conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts to achieve healthy climate and fire-resilient landscapes, and that the state review and update grant solicitation processes to improve consistency of information requirements, budget format, and other requirements to reduce inefficiency and promote multiple benefit projects that may apply to multiple grant programs.
2. Clarify the requirement for the Task Force to develop an interagency funding strategy that promotes integrated, multiple benefit projects that address wildfire, watershed function, biodiversity, and climate adaptation and mitigation to achieve landscape resilience on fire-prone lands and achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach.
3. Establish requirements for the interagency funding strategy.
4. Delete reference to specific grant programs for NRA to review and replace with requirement that specified elements of grant guidelines be reviewed.
5. Define "an ecosystem-based approach" as a science-based approach to the integrated management of natural resources that aims to restore and sustain the health, resilience, and diversity of ecosystems, while also allowing for sustainable use by human.
6. Require, to the extent feasible, investments in natural and working lands to be guided by California's Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.

Governor’s Veto Message

This bill would result in state General Fund impacts not included in the 2024 Budget Act and could present legal challenges surrounding General Obligation bonds and how existing programs would manage inconsistencies with bond law. In partnership with the Legislature, this year, my administration has enacted a balanced budget that avoids deep cuts to vital services and protected investments in education, health care, climate, public safety, housing, and social service programs that millions of Californians rely on. It is important to remain disciplined when considering bills with significant fiscal implications that are not included in the budget, such as this measure.

COMMENTS

The Task Force was created by Governor Newsom in 2018 to confront climatic and human-caused conditions that have brought the threat of devastating wildfire to California. The Task Force is a collaborative effort to align the activities of federal, state, local, public, private and tribal organizations to support programs and projects tailored to the priorities and risks of each region, and bring the best available science to forest management and community protection efforts.

The management of forest lands also greatly influences the quantity and quality of water, along with timing and distribution of water for downstream uses. Forested watersheds are the origin of most of the state's water supply for urban, agricultural, and environmental use. Improving forest and wildlands stewardship, however, is complicated by the fact that the state itself only owns about 3% of the approximately 33 million acres of these lands in the state. The federal government owns 57% and private landowners own the remaining 40%.

AB 3023 requires Task Force to develop an interagency funding strategy to promote integrated, multiple benefit projects to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach

With California's ambitious goals to achieve 30x30, carbon neutrality by 2045, and the treatment of a million acres of forest, among many other environmental restoration and protection initiatives, more robust coordination between natural resource programs could be beneficial across various state programs.

According to the Author

California is facing multiple interrelated crises: extreme wildfires, protecting our water resources, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing the decline our State's unique biodiversity. However, the remedies are largely the same – restoration, prudent management, and conservation of our diverse forests and landscapes. Yet our strategies and implementation efforts are siloed. AB 3023 would require better coordination of planning and alignment of grant programs so that we are able to tackle the challenge with synergy and maximum efficiency. It's time that we approach these efforts holistically, and recognize the interrelated nature of both the problem and the solution.

Arguments in Support

A group of environmental organizations write, "There are numerous funding programs for fire resilience, watershed restoration, climate mitigation, and conservation, but the respective program grant guidelines are disparate and largely uncoordinated. This bill seeks greater alignment between programs so that actions can better build upon and complement each other. Actual coordination of projects for multiple beneficial outcomes will happen faster when required by the funding guidelines."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

1. NRA estimates one-time costs of $2.1 million spread over two years (General Fund) for the development of new regulations, coordination of existing program updates, and initial scoping and development of consolidated applications. In addition, NRA estimates ongoing costs of between $1 and $4 million annually (General Fund) to develop a consolidated application process that would cross department authorities would require modifications of existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would require IT development and support costs in the future.
2. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) estimates one-time costs of $400,000 spread over two years (General Fund) to integrate climate change, fire, and watershed restoration goals into its existing programs and coordinate with state and regional water agencies to align with state watershed restoration plans and initiatives as required by this bill.
3. The Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Conservation anticipate their costs would be minor and absorbable.
4. Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state boards, departments, and organizations, such as the Department of Water Resources and state conservancies to implement provisions of this bill (General Fund). For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) notes the bill's impact on SNC is difficult to estimate because of the bill’s broad nature. The SNC's primary initiative is the Watershed Improvement Program and, while its work aligns with the objectives of the bill, SNC contends it is unclear what specific changes would be required under this bill. If SNC is required to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, the impact to SNC could be significant.

VOTES

ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 11-0-0

YES: Bryan, Flora, Bauer-Kahan, Friedman, Hoover, Kalra, Joe Patterson, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Wicks, Wood

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-4

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Pellerin, Villapudua

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez, Dixon, Jim Patterson, Ta

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 70-0-10

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon, Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Friedman, Gallagher, Holden, Mathis, Joe Patterson, Luz Rivas

SENATE FLOOR: 40-0-0

YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Grove, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Min, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Padilla, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0-2

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Cervantes, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, Mathis, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon, Ortega

UPDATED

VERSION: September 5, 2024

CONSULTANT: Paige Brokaw / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0005107

CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS

CSA1 Bill Id:AB 3023

Author:(Papan)

As Amended Ver:August 15, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to develop an interagency funding strategy to promote integrated, multiple benefit projects to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach, and requires the California Natural Resources Agency (NRA) to review and update relevant grant guidelines for specified programs to encourage multi-benefit projects.

Senate Amendments

1. State the intent of the Legislature that the state create an interagency funding strategy through the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan to coordinate and align state and federal wildfire, watershed restoration, biodiversity, conservation, and climate mitigation and adaptation efforts to achieve healthy climate and fire-resilient landscapes, and that the state review and update grant solicitation processes to improve consistency of information requirements, budget format, and other requirements to reduce inefficiency and promote multiple benefit projects that may apply to multiple grant programs.
2. Clarify the requirement for the Task Force to develop an interagency funding strategy that promotes integrated, multiple benefit projects that address wildfire, watershed function, biodiversity, and climate adaptation and mitigation to achieve landscape resilience on fire-prone lands and achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach.
3. Establish requirements for the interagency funding strategy.
4. Delete reference to specific grant programs for NRA to review and replace with requirement that specified elements of grant guidelines be reviewed.
5. Define "an ecosystem-based approach" as a science-based approach to the integrated management of natural resources that aims to restore and sustain the health, resilience, and diversity of ecosystems, while also allowing for sustainable use by human.
6. Require, to the extent feasible, investments in natural and working lands to be guided by California's Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.

COMMENTS

The Task Force was created by Governor Newsom in 2018 to confront climatic and human-caused conditions that have brought the threat of devastating wildfire to California. The Task Force is a collaborative effort to align the activities of federal, state, local, public, private and tribal organizations to support programs and projects tailored to the priorities and risks of each region, and bring the best available science to forest management and community protection efforts.

The management of forest lands also greatly influences the quantity and quality of water, along with timing and distribution of water for downstream uses. Forested watersheds are the origin of most of the state's water supply for urban, agricultural, and environmental use. Improving forest and wildlands stewardship, however, is complicated by the fact that the state itself only owns about 3% of the approximately 33 million acres of these lands in the state. The federal government owns 57% and private landowners own the remaining 40%.

This bill requires Task Force to develop an interagency funding strategy to promote integrated, multiple benefit projects to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach

With California's ambitious goals to achieve 30x30, carbon neutrality by 2045, and the treatment of a million acres of forest, among many other environmental restoration and protection initiatives, more robust coordination between natural resource programs could be beneficial across various state programs.

According to the Author

California is facing multiple interrelated crises: extreme wildfires, protecting our water resources, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing the decline our State's unique biodiversity. However, the remedies are largely the same – restoration, prudent management, and conservation of our diverse forests and landscapes. Yet our strategies and implementation efforts are siloed. AB 3023 would require better coordination of planning and alignment of grant programs so that we are able to tackle the challenge with synergy and maximum efficiency. It's time that we approach these efforts holistically, and recognize the interrelated nature of both the problem and the solution.

Arguments in Support

A group of environmental organizations write, "There are numerous funding programs for fire resilience, watershed restoration, climate mitigation, and conservation, but the respective program grant guidelines are disparate and largely uncoordinated. This bill seeks greater alignment between programs so that actions can better build upon and complement each other. Actual coordination of projects for multiple beneficial outcomes will happen faster when required by the funding guidelines."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

1. NRA estimates one-time costs of $2.1 million spread over two years (General Fund) for the development of new regulations, coordination of existing program updates, and initial scoping and development of consolidated applications. In addition, NRA estimates ongoing costs of between $1 and $4 million annually (General Fund) to develop a consolidated application process that would cross department authorities would require modifications of existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would require IT development and support costs in the future.
2. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) estimates one-time costs of $400,000 spread over two years (General Fund) to integrate climate change, fire, and watershed restoration goals into its existing programs and coordinate with state and regional water agencies to align with state watershed restoration plans and initiatives as required by this bill.
3. The Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Conservation anticipate their costs would be minor and absorbable.
4. Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state boards, departments, and organizations, such as the Department of Water Resources and state conservancies to implement provisions of this bill (General Fund). For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) notes the bill's impact on SNC is difficult to estimate because of the bill's broad nature. The SNC's primary initiative is the Watershed Improvement Program and, while its work aligns with the objectives of the bill, SNC contends it is unclear what specific changes would be required under this bill. If SNC is required to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, the impact to SNC could be significant.

VOTES:

ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 11-0-0

YES: Bryan, Flora, Bauer-Kahan, Friedman, Hoover, Kalra, Joe Patterson, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Wicks, Wood

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-4

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Pellerin, Villapudua

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez, Dixon, Jim Patterson, Ta

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 70-0-10

YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

ABS, ABST OR NV: Calderon, Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Friedman, Gallagher, Holden, Mathis, Joe Patterson, Luz Rivas

UPDATED

VERSION: August 15, 2024

CONSULTANT: Paige Brokaw / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0004717

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 3023

Author: Papan (D)

Amended: 8/15/24 in Senate

Vote: 21

SENATE NATURAL RES. & WATER COMMITTEE: 11-0, 6/17/24

AYES: Min, Seyarto, Allen, Dahle, Eggman, Grove, Hurtado, Laird, Limón, Padilla, Stern

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/15/24

AYES: Caballero, Jones, Ashby, Becker, Bradford, Seyarto, Wahab

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 70-0, 5/22/24 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: multiple benefit projects: grant program guidelines

SOURCE: Pacific Forest Trust

DIGEST:

This bill requires the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to develop an interagency funding strategy to promote integrated, multiple benefit projects to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach. This bill also requires the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to review and update relevant grant guidelines for specified programs to encourage multi-benefit projects.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Establishes, pursuant to Executive Order B-52-18, a Forest Management Task Force, now known as the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, involving specified state agencies to create the action plan for wildfire and forest resilience. (Public Resources Code (PRC) §4005)
2. Requires the Task Force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the state’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan (Action Plan) issued by the Task Force in January 2021. (PRC §4771)
3. Directs CNRA to combat the biodiversity and climate crisis by, among other things, establishing the California Biodiversity Collaborative and establishing the 30x30 goal. (PRC § 71450)
4. Authorizes the director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) to provide grants to private or nongovernmental entities, Native American tribes, or local, state, and federal public agencies, for the implementation and administration of projects and programs to improve forest health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (PRC §4799.05)

This bill:

1. Requires the Task Force, in developing the update to the Action Plan, in partnership with CNRA, to develop an interagency funding strategy that promotes integrated, multiple benefit projects that address wildfire, watershed function, biodiversity, and climate adaptation and mitigation to achieve landscape resilience on fire-prone lands and achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach. The interagency funding strategy shall do all of the following:
   1. Provide a framework for regional investment strategies;
   2. Promote block grants to support regional project portfolios;
   3. Support coordination and alignment of relevant state, federal, utility, and other programs that protect and restore fire-prone lands; and,
   4. Advance implementation of carbon sequestration and nature-based solution targets.
2. Requires CNRA and other relevant state entities to review and update grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage multiple benefit projects. If feasible and appropriate, similar grant programs may develop a shared, consolidated application process. Grant guidelines may include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
   1. Aligning the timing, requirements, and application process of grant solicitations;
   2. Encouraging multiple benefit, enduring projects;
   3. Opportunities to simplify and streamline the grant experience for the applicant; and,
   4. Opportunities to develop a common application for the organizational, governance, legal, and financial elements of the grant submission.
3. Requires the aforementioned programs in #2 to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience.
4. Provides that the grant guideline review only applies to grant programs that receive funding through the Budget Act of 2024, or a general obligation bond.
5. Requires, to the extent feasible, investments in natural and working lands to be guided by California’s Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy.
6. Defines “an ecosystem-based approach.”

Background

Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. The Task Force was created by Governor Newsom in 2018 to confront climatic and human-caused conditions that have brought the threat of devastating wildfire to California. The Task Force is a collaborative effort to align the activities of federal, state, local, public, private and tribal organizations to support programs and projects tailored to the priorities and risks of each region, and bring the best available science to forest management and community protection efforts.

Watersheds. Every stream, tributary, or river has an associated watershed, and small watersheds aggregate together to become larger watersheds. Because water moves downstream in a watershed, any activity that affects the water quality, quantity, or rate of movement at one location can change the characteristics of the watershed at locations downstream.

Droughts and extreme heat exacerbate fires and threaten ecosystems, fires threaten water supply and water quality, changes in hydrology simultaneously increase risks of flooding and reduce groundwater and surface water supplies, and intense flood events overwhelm stormwater and wastewater systems. Less runoff and snowpack in forests are also heightening wildfire risk and diminishing long-term forest health. Wildfires lead to increased sedimentation of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and higher flood risk.

Forest health and watershed management. California possesses vast and valuable forest resources. It has a wide range of climates, topographies, habitats, geological features, and vegetation conditions, and is home to thousands of species of trees, plants, fish, and wildlife. Collectively, these all make the state’s forest resources incredibly diverse, ecologically rich, and important to protect and manage carefully.

The management of forest lands also greatly influences the quantity and quality of water, along with timing and distribution of water for downstream uses. Forested watersheds are the origin of most of the state’s water supply for urban, agricultural, and environmental use. Improving forest and wildlands stewardship, however, is complicated by the fact that the state itself only owns about 3% of the approximately 33 million acres of these lands in the state. The federal government owns 57% and private landowners own the remaining 40%.

Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. In January 2021, the Task Force released the Action Plan. The Action Plan builds upon ongoing or new efforts to build fire breaks, hire additional seasonal firefighters and other recent actions to reduce wildland fire risk and promote resiliency. The Action Plan is designed to “strategically accelerate” efforts to restore the health and resilience of the state’s forests, grasslands and natural places; improve the fire safety of communities in the state; and sustain the economic vitality of rural forested areas. One of the key actions from the Action Plan included development of a statewide forest ecosystem monitoring system to analyze how forest management and timber harvest practices impact forest health so that CNRA can establish an approach to track forest ecosystem conditions over time at a watershed scale. The work has now been linked to efforts to establish a comprehensive understanding of restoration needs and prioritize investment opportunities that will improve watershed function and resilience, water quality and supply reliability, forest carbon stores, wildlife habitat, and climate adaptation.

Related/Prior legislation

SB 456 (Laird, Chapter 387, Statutes of 2021), required the Task Force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and annually report on progress to the Legislature.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:

• The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) estimates one-time costs of $2.1 million spread over two years (General Fund) for the development of new regulations, coordination of existing program updates, and initial scoping and development of consolidated applications. In addition, CNRA estimates ongoing costs of between $1 and $4 million annually (General Fund) to develop a consolidated application process that would cross department authorities would require modifications of existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would require IT development and support costs in the future.
• The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) estimates one-time costs of $400,000 spread over two years (General Fund) to integrate climate change, fire, and watershed restoration goals into its existing programs and coordinate with state and regional water agencies to align with state watershed restoration plans and initiatives as required by this bill.
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and Department of Conservation (DOC) anticipate their costs would be minor and absorbable.
• Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state boards, departments, and organizations, such as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and state conservancies to implement provisions of this bill (General Fund). For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) notes the bill's impact on SNC is difficult to estimate because of the bill’s broad nature. The SNC's primary initiative is the Watershed Improvement Program and, while its work aligns with the objectives of the bill, SNC contends it is unclear what specific changes would be required under this bill. If SNC is required to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, the impact to SNC could be significant.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/15/24)

Pacific Forest Trust (source)

American River Conservancy

California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

California Council of Land Trusts

California Environmental Voters

California Native Plant Society

California State Association of Counties

California State Parks Foundation

California Trout

Carbon Cycle Institute

East Bay Municipal Utility District

East Bay Regional Park District

El Dorado Irrigation District

Endangered Habitats League

Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association

Peninsula Open Space Trust

Planning and Conservation League

Sempervirens Fund

Trout Unlimited

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/15/24)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: According to the author, “California is facing multiple interrelated crises: extreme wildfires, protecting our water resources, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing the decline our State’s unique biodiversity. However, the remedies are largely the same – restoration, prudent management, and conservation of our diverse forests and landscapes. Yet our strategies and implementation efforts are siloed. AB 3023 would require better coordination of planning and alignment of grant programs so that we are able to tackle the challenge with synergy and maximum efficiency. It’s time that we approach these efforts holistically, and recognize the interrelated nature of both the problem and the solution.”

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 70-0, 5/22/24

AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Davies, Dixon, Flora, Mike Fong, Vince Fong, Gabriel, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McCarty, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Rendon, Reyes, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Waldron, Wallis, Ward, Weber, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas

NO VOTE RECORDED: Calderon, Cervantes, Megan Dahle, Essayli, Friedman, Gallagher, Holden, Mathis, Joe Patterson, Luz Rivas

Prepared by: Paul Jacobs / N.R. & W. / (916) 651-4116

8/19/24 12:41:03

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 3023 (Papan) - Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: state watershed restoration plans: forest resilience plans: grant program guidelines

Bill Summary:

This bill would require the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to align watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience actions as a way to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach.

*********** ANALYSIS ADDENDUM – SUSPENSE FILE ***********

The following information is revised to reflect amendments

adopted by the committee on August 15, 2024

Fiscal Impact:

• The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) estimates one-time costs of $2.1 million spread over two years (General Fund) for the development of new regulations, coordination of existing program updates, and initial scoping and development of consolidated applications. In addition, CNRA estimates ongoing costs of between $1 and $4 million annually (General Fund) to develop a consolidated application process that would cross department authorities would require modifications of existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would require IT development and support costs in the future.
• The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) estimates one-time costs of $400,000 spread over two years (General Fund) to integrate climate change, fire, and watershed restoration goals into its existing programs and coordinate with state and regional water agencies to align with state watershed restoration plans and initiatives as required by this bill.
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and Department of Conservation (DOC) anticipate their costs would be minor and absorbable.
• Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state boards, departments, and organizations, such as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and state conservancies to implement provisions of this bill (General Fund). For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) notes the bill's impact on SNC is difficult to estimate because of the bill’s broad nature. The SNC's primary initiative is the Watershed Improvement Program and, while its work aligns with the objectives of the bill, SNC contends it is unclear what specific changes would be required under this bill. If SNC is required to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, the impact to SNC could be significant.

Author Amendments:

These amendments would require development of an interagency funding strategy.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON

Senator Anna Caballero, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular Session

AB 3023 (Papan) - Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: state watershed restoration plans: forest resilience plans: grant program guidelines

Bill Summary:

This bill would require the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to align watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience actions as a way to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach.

Fiscal Impact:

• The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) estimates one-time costs of $2.1 million spread over two years (General Fund) for the development of new regulations, coordination of existing program updates, and initial scoping and development of consolidated applications. In addition, CNRA estimates ongoing costs of between $1 and $4 million annually (General Fund) to develop a consolidated application process that would cross department authorities would require modifications of existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would require IT development and support costs in the future.
• The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) estimates one-time costs of $400,000 spread over two years (General Fund) to integrate climate change, fire, and watershed restoration goals into its existing programs and coordinate with state and regional water agencies to align with state watershed restoration plans and initiatives as required by this bill.
• The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and Department of Conservation (DOC) anticipate their costs would be minor and absorbable.
• Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state boards, departments, and organizations, such as the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and state conservancies to implement provisions of this bill (General Fund). For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) notes the bill's impact on SNC is difficult to estimate because of the bill’s broad nature. The SNC's primary initiative is the Watershed Improvement Program and, while its work aligns with the objectives of the bill, SNC contends it is unclear what specific changes would be required under this bill. If SNC is required to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, the impact to SNC could be significant.

Background:

The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. The Task Force was created by Governor Newsom in 2018 to confront climatic and human-caused conditions that have brought the threat of devastating wildfire to California. The Task Force is a collaborative effort to align the activities of federal, state, local, public, private and tribal organizations to support programs and projects tailored to the priorities and risks of each region, and bring the best available science to forest management and community protection efforts.

Forest health and watershed management. California possesses vast and valuable forest resources. It has a wide range of climates, topographies, habitats, geological features, and vegetation conditions, and is home to thousands of species of trees, plants, fish, and wildlife. Collectively, these all make the state’s forest resources incredibly diverse, ecologically rich, and important to protect and manage carefully.

The management of forest lands also greatly influences the quantity and quality of water, along with timing and distribution of water for downstream uses. Forested watersheds are the origin of most of the state’s water supply for urban, agricultural, and environmental use. Improving forest and wildlands stewardship, however, is complicated by the fact that the state itself only owns about 3% of the approximately 33 million acres of these lands in the state. The federal government owns 57% and private landowners own the remaining 40%.

Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. In January 2021, the Task Force released “California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan” (Action Plan). The Action Plan builds upon ongoing or new efforts to build fire breaks, hire additional seasonal firefighters and other recent actions to reduce wildland fire risk and promote resiliency. The Action Plan is designed to “strategically accelerate” efforts to restore the health and resilience of the state’s forests, grasslands and natural places; improve the fire safety of communities in the state; and sustain the economic vitality of rural forested areas. One of the key actions from the Action Plan included development of a statewide forest ecosystem monitoring system to analyze how forest management and timber harvest practices impact forest health so that the CNRA can establish an approach to track forest ecosystem conditions over time at a watershed scale. The work has now been linked to efforts to establish a comprehensive understanding of restoration needs and prioritize investment opportunities that will improve watershed function and resilience, water quality and supply reliability, forest carbon stores, wildlife habitat, and climate adaptation.

California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future. In January, Governor Newsom announced the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, which specifies six priorities and 71 actions to build healthier, thriving salmon populations in California, which will require coordination amongst state, federal, local, and tribal partners to implement.

Integrated regional water management plans (IRWMPs). IRWMPs have been used as a collaborative effort to identify and implement water management solutions on a regional scale that increase regional self-reliance, reduce conflict, and build water and climate resilience, while concurrently achieving social, environmental, and economic objectives. This approach delivers higher value for investments by considering all interests, providing multiple benefits, and working across jurisdictional boundaries, often on a watershed scale.

Proposed Law:

This bill would require the Task Force to align watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience actions. Specifically, it would:

1. Require the Task Force, in developing the comprehensive implementation strategy and the accompanying expenditure plan, to develop, in partnership with CNRA, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, including, but not limited to, the State Water Plan, IRWMPs, associated regional water planning initiatives, and the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, with forest resilience planning efforts, including RFFC program efforts and CalFire’s unit fire plans, to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.
2. Require CNRA and other relevant state entities to review and update grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. If feasible and appropriate, similar grant programs may develop a shared, consolidated application process. Require grant programs to include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
   1. CalFire’s forest health grant program, the Fire Prevention Grants Program, and the Wildfire Resilience Program;
   2. DWR’s integrated regional water management grant program and other grant programs that support watershed restoration planning and implementation;
   3. The RFFC Program;
   4. The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (DFW) watershed restoration, planning, and protection programs; and,
   5. The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), state conservancies, and other relevant conservation funding programs.
3. Require the aforementioned programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience.
4. Provide that the grant guideline review only applies to grant programs that receive funding through the Budget Act of 2024 or later, or from a general obligation bond.
5. Require, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

Related Legislation:

SB 456 (Laird, Chapter 387, Statutes of 2021) requires the Task Force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and annually report on progress to the Legislature.

Staff Comments:

CNRA notes that while some programs whose guidelines are exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) could likely absorb the costs of reviewing and updating their guidelines, coordinating these updates for consistency will require centralized review by CNRA. In addition, many entities under CNRA, as well as CNRA itself, will likely need to update or adopt new regulations through OAL. Further, efforts to develop a consolidated application process across multiple departments and programs would require modifications to existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would create future costs for IT development and support.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER

Senator Dave Min, Chair

2023 - 2024 Regular

Bill No: AB Hearing Date: June 17, 2024

Subject: Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force: interagency funding strategy: state watershed restoration plans: forest resilience plans: grant program guidelines

SUMMARY

This bill would require the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to align watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience actions to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW

Background:

Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. The Task Force was created by Governor Newsom in 2018 to confront climatic and human-caused conditions that have brought the threat of devastating wildfire to California. The Task Force is a collaborative effort to align the activities of federal, state, local, public, private and tribal organizations to support programs and projects tailored to the priorities and risks of each region, and bring the best available science to forest management and community protection efforts.

Watersheds. Every stream, tributary, or river has an associated watershed, and small watersheds aggregate together to become larger watersheds. Because water moves downstream in a watershed, any activity that affects the water quality, quantity, or rate of movement at one location can change the characteristics of the watershed at locations downstream.

On April 2, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) released the final California Water Plan Update 2023, which begins with the vision, “All Californians benefit from water resources that are sustainable, resilient to climate change, and managed to achieve shared values and connections to our communities and the environment.” To tackle this vision, the 2023 Update focuses on three intersecting themes: addressing climate urgency, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management.

Droughts and extreme heat exacerbate fires and threaten ecosystems, fires threaten water supply and water quality, changes in hydrology simultaneously increase risks of flooding and reduce groundwater and surface water supplies, and intense flood events overwhelm stormwater and wastewater systems. Less runoff and snowpack in forests are also heightening wildfire risk and diminishing long-term forest health. Wildfires lead to increased sedimentation of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, and higher flood risk.

Integrated regional water management plans (IRWMPs) have been used as a collaborative effort to identify and implement water management solutions on a regional scale that increase regional self-reliance, reduce conflict, and build water and climate resilience, while concurrently achieving social, environmental, and economic objectives. This approach delivers higher value for investments by considering all interests, providing multiple benefits, and working across jurisdictional boundaries, often on a watershed scale. 

California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future. In January, Governor Newsom announced the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, which specifies six priorities and 71 actions to build healthier, thriving salmon populations in California, which will require coordination amongst state, federal, local, and tribal partners to implement.

Forest health and watershed management. California possesses vast and valuable forest resources. It has a wide range of climates, topographies, habitats, geological features, and vegetation conditions, and is home to thousands of species of trees, plants, fish, and wildlife. Collectively, these all make the state’s forest resources incredibly diverse, ecologically rich, and important to protect and manage carefully.

The management of forest lands also greatly influences the quantity and quality of water, along with timing and distribution of water for downstream uses. Forested watersheds are the origin of most of the state’s water supply for urban, agricultural, and environmental use. Improving forest and wildlands stewardship, however, is complicated by the fact that the state itself only owns about 3% of the approximately 33 million acres of these lands in the state. The federal government owns 57% and private landowners own the remaining 40%.

Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan. In January 2021, the Task Force released “California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan” (Action Plan). The Action Plan builds upon ongoing or new efforts to build fire breaks, hire additional seasonal firefighters and other recent actions to reduce wildland fire risk and promote resiliency. The Action Plan is designed to “strategically accelerate” efforts to restore the health and resilience of the state’s forests, grasslands and natural places; improve the fire safety of communities in the state; and sustain the economic vitality of rural forested areas. One of the key actions from the Action Plan included development of a statewide forest ecosystem monitoring system to analyze how forest management and timber harvest practices impact forest health so that the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) can establish an approach to track forest ecosystem conditions over time at a watershed scale. The work has now been linked to efforts to establish a comprehensive understanding of restoration needs and prioritize investment opportunities that will improve watershed function and resilience, water quality and supply reliability, forest carbon stores, wildlife habitat, and climate adaptation.

Existing law:

1. Establishes, pursuant to Executive Order B-52-18, a Forest Management Task Force, now known as the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, involving specified state agencies to create the action plan for wildfire and forest resilience. Public Resources Code (PRC) §4005.
2. Requires the Task Force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy to track and ensure the achievement of the goals and key actions identified in the state’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan issued by the Task Force in January 2021. PRC §4771.
3. Directs CNRA to combat the biodiversity and climate crisis by, among other things, establishing the California Biodiversity Collaborative and establishing the 30x30 goal. PRC § 71450.
4. Declares that it is the policy of the state that The California Water Plan (State Water Plan), with any necessary amendments, supplements, and additions to the plan, is accepted as the master plan which guides the orderly and coordinated control, protection, conservation, development, management and efficient utilization of the water resources of the state. Water Code (WC) §10005(a).
5. Establishes the Integrated Regional Water Management Act and authorizes a regional water management group to prepare and adopt an IRWMP to protect and improve water supply reliability, drinking water quality, and to protect, restore, and improve stewardship of aquatic, riparian, and watershed resources within the region, among other things. WC §§10530-10540.
6. Establishes the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) Program to support regional leadership to build local and regional capacity and develop, prioritize, and implement strategies and projects that create fire-adapted communities and landscapes by improving ecosystem health, community wildfire preparedness, and fire resilience. PRC §4208.1.
7. Authorizes the director of the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (CAL FIRE) to provide grants to private or nongovernmental entities, Native American tribes, or local, state, and federal public agencies, for the implementation and administration of projects and programs to improve forest health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. PRC §4799.05.

PROPOSED LAW

This bill would:

1. State the intent of the Legislature to better align ongoing planning and implementation of landscape treatments to address climate change, wildfire, watershed restoration, and biodiversity conservation actions. 
2. Require the Task Force, in developing the comprehensive implementation strategy and the accompanying expenditure plan, to develop, in partnership with CNRA, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, including, but not limited to, the State Water Plan, IRWMPs, associated regional water planning initiatives, and the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, with forest resilience planning efforts, including RFFC program efforts and CAL FIRE’s unit fire plans, to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.
3. Requires CNRA and other relevant state entities to review and update grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. If feasible and appropriate, similar grant programs may develop a shared, consolidated application process. Requires grant programs to include, but not be limited to, all of the following:
   1. CAL FIRE’s forest health grant program, the Fire Prevention Grants Program, and the Wildfire Resilience Program;
   2. DWR’s integrated regional water management grant program and other grant programs that support watershed restoration planning and implementation;
   3. The RFFC Program;
   4. The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) watershed restoration, planning, and protection programs; and,
   5. The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), state conservancies, and other relevant conservation funding programs.
4. Requires the aforementioned programs in #3 a) – e) to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience.
5. Provides that the grant guideline review only applies to grant programs that receive funding through the Budget Act of 2024, or later, or a general obligation bond.
6. Requires, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT

According to the author, “California is facing multiple interrelated crises: extreme wildfires, protecting our water resources, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing the decline our State’s unique biodiversity. However, the remedies are largely the same – restoration, prudent management, and conservation of our diverse forests and landscapes. Yet our strategies and implementation efforts are siloed. AB 3023 would require better coordination of planning and alignment of grant programs so that we are able to tackle the challenge with synergy and maximum efficiency. It’s time that we approach these efforts holistically, and recognize the interrelated nature of both the problem and the solution.”

ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION

None Received

COMMENTS

Clearly defined outcomes. This bill references terms such as “integrated” and “holistic” as the intended outcomes of coordinating and aligning the implementation of several plans and initiatives. These terms are vague and ambiguous, and it may not be clear how to align and coordinate in order to achieve these outcomes. Furthermore, it may be difficult for the Legislature to assess the effectiveness of these efforts in achieving those outcomes at a later date. This bill currently lists several activities to occur, but does not clearly define what the expected outcome of these activities should be. In order to both provide clear direction and Legislative oversight, this bill needs clearly defined outcomes.

Ecosystem-based approach. According to Article 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, "ecosystem" means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit. The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. It is based on the application of appropriate scientific methodologies focused on levels of biological organization, which encompass the essential processes, functions and interactions among organisms and their environment. It recognizes that humans, with their cultural diversity, are an integral component of ecosystems. 

This bill seeks to integrate planning for landscapes and watersheds to have outcomes that protect ecosystems and biodiversity. Much of the language and intent in this bill appears to be aligned with that of an ecosystem-based approach. For example, the intent language mentions “…to better align ongoing planning and implementation of landscape treatments to address climate change, wildfire, watershed restoration, and biodiversity conservation actions.”

Committee amendments. The committee may wish to amend the bill in order to provide more clearly defined outcomes. Rather than referring to integrated and holistic outcomes, mentioning and defining a more technically specific term such as “an ecosystem-based approach” may be a better alternative to describe the activities and outcomes intended in this bill. A description of the ecosystem approach has been endorsed by the Convention on Biological Diversity at its fifth meeting, and this term is well known within the scientific and natural resources management communities. See Amendment 1.

Author Amendments. The author has sent amendments to the Committee past the author amendment deadline for consideration of approval on behalf of the author. These amendments appear to be clarifying and provide better guidance related to the activities of updating granting guidelines. A summary of the amendments are below. See Amendment 2 for all of these amendments.

• Clarification that the grant guidelines needing to be reviewed and updated should be both relevant and encourage multi-benefit projects.
• Replaces the list of granting programs to review with a description of elements of the guidelines. The author states that the intention here is to review the grant guidelines to make them more usable and efficient and that these changes will provide better direction for review. As such, the list of programs in this section are illustrative examples and not necessary as they are addressed by subject matter description in the prior section.
• Narrows granting review to only focus on funding through the Budget Act of 2024 or a General Obligation bond.

Prior legislation.

SB 456 (Laird, Chapter 387, Statutes of 2021), requires the Task Force to develop a comprehensive implementation strategy of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan and annually report on progress to the Legislature.

SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT 1: Amend the bill as follows:

4773. (a) In developing the comprehensive implementation strategy and the accompanying expenditure plan required in Section 4771, the task force shall develop, in partnership with the Natural Resources Agency, an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, including, but not limited to, the State Water Plan, integrated regional water management plans, associated regional water planning initiatives, and the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, with forest resilience planning efforts, including Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program efforts and the department’s unit fire plans, to achieve outcomes more aligned with an ecosystem-based approach. integrated and holistic outcomes.

(e) As used in this section, “an ecosystem-based approach” means a science-based approach to the integrated management of natural resources that aims to sustain the health, resilience and diversity of ecosystems, while also allowing for sustainable use by humans.

AMENDMENT 2: Amend the bill as follows:

4773. (b) (1) To further the goals of the interagency funding strategy described in subdivision (a), the Natural Resources Agency and other relevant state entities shall review and update relevant grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage multi-benefit projects. that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. If feasible and appropriate, similar grant programs may develop a shared, consolidated application process. Elements of guidelines Grant programs to review include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(A) Aligning the timing, requirements, and application process of grant solicitations, to the extent feasible and consistent with program requirements.

(B) Encouraging multiple benefit projects.

(C) Opportunities to simplify and streamline the grant experience for the applicant.

(D) Opportunities to develop a common application for the organizational, governance, legal and financial elements of the grant submission.

(A) The department’s forest health grant program, the Fire Prevention Grants Program, and the Wildfire Resilience Program.

(B) The Department of Water Resources’ integrated regional water management grant program and other grant programs that support watershed restoration planning and implementation.

(C) The Department of Conservation’s Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program.

(D) The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s watershed restoration, planning, and protection programs.

(E) The Wildlife Conservation Board, state conservancies, and other relevant conservation funding programs.

(c) The review required pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) applies only to grant programs that receive funding through the Budget Act of 2024, or later, or a general obligation bond.

SUPPORT

Pacific Forest Trust (sponsor)

American River Conservancy

California Association of Resource Conservation Districts

California Council of Land Trusts

California Environmental Voters (formerly CLCV)

California Native Plant Society

California State Association of Counties

California State Parks Foundation

California Trout

Carbon Cycle Institute

East Bay Municipal Utility District

El Dorado Irrigation District

Endangered Habitats League

Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

Mountain Counties Water Resources Association

Peninsula Open Space Trust

Planning and Conservation League

Sempervirens Fund

OPPOSITION

None Received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 3023

Author:(Papan)

As Amended Ver:May 16, 2024

Majority vote

SUMMARY

Requires the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force) to align watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience actions to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.

Major Provisions

1. Requires the Task Force, in developing the comprehensive implementation strategy and the accompanying expenditure plan, to develop, in partnership with the Natural Resources Agency (NRA), an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience planning efforts, including Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program efforts and the Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention's (CAL FIRE) unit fire plans, to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.
2. Requires NRA and other relevant state entities to review and update grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. Authorizes, if feasible and appropriate, similar grant programs to develop a shared, consolidated application process.
3. Requires specified programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce the program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience.
4. Provides that the grant guideline review only applies to grant programs that receive funding through the Budget Act of 2024, or later, or a general obligation bond.
5. Requires, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

COMMENTS

This bill requires NRA and other relevant state entities, to further the goals of the interagency strategy, to review and update grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion.

With California's ambitious goals to achieve 30x30, carbon neutrality by 2045, and the treatment of a million acres of forest, among many other environmental restoration and protection initiatives, more robust coordination between natural resource programs could be beneficial across the programs.

According to the Author

California is facing multiple interrelated crises: extreme wildfires, protecting our water resources, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing the decline our State's unique biodiversity. However, the remedies are largely the same – restoration, prudent management, and conservation of our diverse forests and landscapes. Yet our strategies and implementation efforts are siloed. AB 3023 would require better coordination of planning and alignment of grant programs so that we are able to tackle the challenge with synergy and maximum efficiency. It's time that we approach these efforts holistically, and recognize the interrelated nature of both the problem and the solution.

Arguments in Support

A group of environmental organizations write, "There are numerous funding programs for fire resilience, watershed restoration, climate mitigation, and conservation, but the respective program grant guidelines are disparate and largely uncoordinated. This bill seeks greater alignment between programs so that actions can better build upon and complement each other. Actual coordination of projects for multiple beneficial outcomes will happen faster when required by the funding guidelines."

Arguments in Opposition

None on file.

FISCAL COMMENTS

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. NRA estimates contracting costs of approximately $750,000 as well as $300,000 for two limited-term positions each year for two years to coordinate program updates, develop or update regulations, as needed, and complete the initial scoping of a consolidated application (General Fund). Should NRA proceed with developing a consolidated application, it would incur IT costs of an unknown but potentially significant amount, likely in the range of $1 million to $4 million (General Fund), depending on the number of existing systems impacted and the complexity of the project.
2. Consulting costs for CAL FIRE of an unknown amount, likely in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars, for two years (General Fund) to implement this bill.
3. The Department of Fish and Wildlife and Department of Conservation anticipate their costs to be minor and absorbable.
4. Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state entities like the Department of Water Resources and state conservancies to implement this bill (General Fund).

VOTES

ASM NATURAL RESOURCES: 11-0-0

YES: Bryan, Flora, Bauer-Kahan, Friedman, Hoover, Kalra, Joe Patterson, Muratsuchi, Pellerin, Wicks, Wood

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 11-0-4

YES: Wicks, Arambula, Bryan, Calderon, Wendy Carrillo, Mike Fong, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Pellerin, Villapudua

ABS, ABST OR NV: Sanchez, Dixon, Jim Patterson, Ta

UPDATED

VERSION: May 16, 2024

CONSULTANT: Paige Brokaw / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0003368

Date of Hearing: May 15, 2024

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Buffy Wicks, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 3023

Author:(Papan) – As Amended Ver:April 16, 2024

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force (Task Force), in developing the comprehensive implementation strategy and the accompanying expenditure plan for the state’s wildfire and forest resilience action plan, to develop, in partnership with the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA), an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives with forest resilience planning efforts, to achieve more integrated and holistic outcomes.

In addition, this bill, among other things:

1. Requires CNRA and other relevant state entities to review and update grant guidelines for climate change, biodiversity, conservation, fire, and watershed restoration programs to encourage projects that advance plans and goals in an integrated fashion. Requires, if feasible and appropriate, similar grant programs to develop a shared, consolidated application process. Specifies a non-exclusive list of grant programs that must be reviewed (see background).
2. Requires the specified grant programs to review and revise relevant grant guidelines to reinforce program alignment in order to integrate conservation action with landscape restoration actions to ensure that landscapes are protected and well managed for climate, biodiversity, water security, and fire resilience.
3. Provides that the grant guideline review only applies to grant programs that receive funding through the Budget Act of 2024 or subsequent budget acts, or a general obligation bond.
4. Requires, to the extent feasible, the interagency funding strategy to coordinate and align state and federal investments in forest and watershed protection programs.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1) CNRA notes that while some programs whose guidelines are exempt from review by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) could likely absorb the costs of reviewing and updating their guidelines, coordinating these updates for consistency will require centralized review by CNRA. In addition, many entities under CNRA, as well as CNRA itself, will likely need to update or adopt new regulations through OAL. Further, efforts to develop a consolidated application process across multiple departments and programs would require modifications to existing grant management systems across departments or development of interfaces between existing systems and a new centralized system, both of which would create future costs for information technology (IT) development and support.

Specifically, CNRA estimates contracting costs of approximately $750,000 as well as $300,000 for two limited-term positions each year for two years to coordinate program updates, develop or update regulations, as needed, and complete the initial scoping of a consolidated application (General Fund). Should CNRA proceed with developing a consolidated application, it would incur IT costs of an unknown but potentially significant amount, likely in the range of $1 million to $4 million (General Fund), depending on the number of existing systems impacted and the complexity of the project.

2) Consulting costs for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) of an unknown amount, likely in the low hundreds of thousands of dollars, for two years (General Fund) to implement this bill. CAL FIRE staffs the Task Force.

3) The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) and Department of Conservation (DOC) anticipate their costs to be minor and absorbable.

4) Costs of an unknown amount, ranging from minor and absorbable to the low hundreds of thousands of dollars per entity, for other state entities like the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and state conservancies to implement this bill (General Fund).

For example, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) notes the bill's impact on SNC is difficult to estimate because of the bill’s broad nature. The SNC's primary initiative is the Watershed Improvement Program and, while its work aligns with the objectives of the bill, SNC contends it is unclear what specific changes would be required under this bill. If SNC is required to help coordinate and align implementation of state watershed restoration plans and initiatives, the impact to SNC could be significant. SNC notes that similar efforts to collaborate with and coordinate across departments and programs have required considerable staff time in the past. Based on prior efforts and the state's focus on data-driven decision-making, SNC estimates this bill could result in ongoing annual costs of approximately $260,000 for two new positions. However, absent greater clarity about the scope of work required under this bill, SNC cannot provide a more precise estimate at this time.

According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, the General Fund faces a structural deficit in the tens of billions of dollars over the next several fiscal years.

COMMENTS:

1) Purpose. According to the author:

California is facing multiple interrelated crises: extreme wildfires, protecting our water resources, reducing greenhouse gasses, and preventing the decline our State’s unique biodiversity. However, the remedies are largely the same – restoration, prudent management, and conservation of our diverse forests and landscapes. Yet our strategies and implementation efforts are siloed. AB 3023 would require better coordination of planning and alignment of grant programs so that we are able to tackle the challenge with synergy and maximum efficiency. It’s time that we approach these efforts holistically, and recognize the interrelated nature of both the problem and the solution.

2) Background. While the state is advancing numerous plans and strategies to tackle multiple interrelated climate crises facing the state, supporters of this bill argue that implementation efforts largely exist in separate siloes. California Environmental Voters argues:

There are numerous funding programs for fire resilience, watershed restoration, climate mitigation, and conservation, but the respective program grant guidelines are disparate and largely uncoordinated. This bill seeks greater alignment between programs so that actions can better build upon and complement each other. Actual coordination of projects for multiple beneficial outcomes will happen faster when required by the funding guidelines.

This bill requires the Task Force to develop an interagency funding strategy to help coordinate and align state watershed restoration plans and initiatives – including the State Water Plan, integrated regional water management plans, associated regional water planning initiatives, and the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future – with forest resilience planning efforts, such as the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program.

To further the goals of the interagency funding strategy, the bill requires CNRA and other relevant state entities to review and update various grant guidelines to achieve more integration. Grant programs include CAL FIRE’s forest health grant program, fire prevention grant program, and the wildfire resilience program; DWR’s integrated regional water management grant program and other grant programs that support watershed restoration planning and implementation; the RFFC program; and other relevant conservation funding programs.

Analysis Prepared by: Nikita Koraddi / APPR. / (916) 319-2081