California Senate Bill SB356 Introduced / Bill

 BILL NUMBER: SB 356INTRODUCED BILL TEXT INTRODUCED BY Senator Blakeslee FEBRUARY 15, 2011 An act to amend Section 4512 of the Public Resources Code, relating to forestry. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST SB 356, as introduced, Blakeslee. Forest practices. The Z'berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 prohibits a person from conducting timber operations unless a timber harvesting plan prepared by a registered professional forester has been submitted for the timber operations to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and approved. The act makes certain findings and declarations including that the forest resources and timberlands of the state are among the most valuable of the natural resources of the state. This bill would make technical, nonsubstantive changes to the act. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no. State-mandated local program: no. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 4512 of the Public Resources Code is amended to read: 4512. (a) The Legislature  hereby  finds and declares that the forest resources and timberlands of the state are among the most valuable of the natural resources of the state and that there is great concern throughout the state relating to their utilization, restoration, and protection. (b) The Legislature further finds and declares that the forest resources and timberlands of the state furnish high-quality timber, recreational opportunities, and aesthetic enjoyment while providing watershed protection and maintaining fisheries and wildlife. (c) The Legislature  thus  declares that it is the policy of this state to encourage prudent and responsible forest resource management calculated to serve the public's need for timber and other forest products, while giving consideration to the public's need for watershed protection, fisheries and wildlife, sequestration of carbon dioxide, and recreational opportunities alike in this and future generations. (d) It is not the intent of the Legislature by the enactment of this chapter to take private property for public use without payment of just compensation in violation of the California and United States Constitutions.