Z'Berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973: timber harvesting plans: extensions.

The Z'Berg-Nejedly Forest Practice Act of 1973 prohibits a person from conducting timber operations, as defined, unless a timber harvesting plan prepared by a registered professional forester has been submitted to, and is approved by, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Existing law requires a timber harvesting plan that is approved by the department on or after July 1, 2012, to be effective for a period of not more than 5 years, unless extended for 2 years, as provided. Existing law allows for a timber harvesting plan that is approved by the department from January 1, 2010, to August 31, 2012, inclusive, to be extended for 2 years, and up to a total of 4 years, if certain conditions are met. This bill would eliminate extensions for timber harvesting plans approved by the department from January 1, 2010, to August 31, 2012, inclusive, and instead allow for a timber harvesting plan that is approved by the department from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015, inclusive, to be extended for an additional 2 years if certain conditions are met. The bill would also make nonsubstantive changes to these provisions. This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.