AB 2494: State forests: forest management.

The bill aims to redefine the management of state forests to prioritize biodiversity conservation, wildfire resilience, and climate mitigation. It would allow for timber harvesting consistent with this definition and require the sale of timber and other forest products to occur in a sustainable manner. The bill would also repeal the authorization for mining on state forest lands and update regulations for grazing. Additionally, it would require the state to restore and reforest lands not being managed sustainably, and to respect California Native American tribal sovereignty in forest management. The bill would also require the state to retain its existing land base for research and demonstration purposes and to accept or acquire lands that are not being managed sustainably. The state would be required to deposit all revenue generated by forest products sales into the Timber Regulation a…