RCRC and a coalition of stakeholders voiced its support for Assembly Bill 9, authored by Assembly Member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa). AB 9 will codify the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program, which creates a new regional approach to develop strategies for wildfire risk reduction project development.
As part of the 2018-19 State Budget, the state appropriated $20 million to develop regional approaches that improve forest health and fire resilience. The appropriation resulted in the RFFC program, which has helped fill the existing capacity gaps by granting funds to regional entities to work with local, state, and federal partners to develop Regional Priority Plans.
AB 9 will codify the RFFC program and support the Department of Conservation (DOC) in creating new regional entities and sustaining the regional entities funded to date. Additionally, AB 9 will provide statutory guidance to DOC in expanding the focus of the RFFC program to examine project development within communities as well as projects on the landscape.
As California continues to grapple with devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires that are increasing in intensity and frequency, more tools and strategies must be developed to prevent these devastating fires. As such, RCRC and the coalition believes regional approaches are the best way to bring diverse interests together to address the unique challenges faced throughout the state.
AB 9 currently awaits consideration in the Assembly Local Government Committee. The coalition letter can be accessed here. For more information, contact Staci Heaton, RCRC Acting Vice President Governmental Affairs, by email or call (916) 447-4806.