RCRC has expressed support for Assembly Bill 926, authored by Assembly Member Devon Mathis (R-Inyo). Currently, communities face significant funding issues to implement wildfire mitigation strategies around local roads and critical infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and potential evacuation routes. While CAL FIRE offers grant programs to local agencies such as counties, fire safe councils and resource conservation districts for other types of projects, critical infrastructure clearance is currently not included in the grant structure.
AB 926 seeks to expand the parameters of current CAL FIRE local assistance grant programs to include local projects for vegetation clearance around roadsides, as well as defensible space around critical infrastructure. Adding these projects to CAL FIRE’s current grant structure will allow local agencies to expand their ability to safeguard communities from wildfires in high fire areas of the state. RCRC’s letter is available here. For more information, contact Staci Heaton, RCRC Senior Regulatory Affairs Advocate, by email or call (916) 447-4806.
