Timber harvesting plans: guidance and assistance.

Existing law prohibits a person, as defined, from conducting timber operations, as defined, unless a timber harvesting plan that meets specified requirements and is prepared by a professional forester for those operations has been submitted to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Existing law requires the department to review, approve, or require the modification of, timber harvesting plans in accordance with prescribed procedures. This bill would require the department to provide guidance and assistance to ensure the uniform and efficient implementation of processes and procedures regulating the filing, review, approval, required modification, completion, and appeal of decisions relating to timber harvesting plans, as provided. The bill would also require the department to issue guidance to achieve greater timber harvesting plan review accuracy and efficiency and to avoid duplication of efforts, as provided.