BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) As California braces for another wildfire season, state lawmakers are weighing a proposal supporters say would speed up fuel-reduction work along the coast by extending a temporary suspension of environmental review requirements.
Assembly Bill 2410 would continue the temporary suspension of the California Environmental Quality Act by allowing for the quick removal of dead brush and trees.
The bill would exempt critical fuel reduction projects from needing a coastal development permit.
Supporters argue CEQA slows wildfire prevention efforts such as prescribed burns and brush clearings.
California bill would extend CEQA suspension to speed coastal wildfire fuel reduction (PHOTO: KCFD)
Assemblymember Stan Ellis, who represents the 32nd District, said, “Then all of a sudden, we have these catastrophic wildfires. It leads to the Palisades and other fires that probably wouldn’t have happened. So, our own environmental justice groups by not wanting to burn have created a bigger problem.”
Environmental advocates, however, raised concerns about the proposal’s potential impacts.
Asha Sharma, deputy director of the Sierra Club, said, “We’re also concerned about the lack of protections for native species. And again, CEQA kind of makes sure that you’re balancing wildfire mitigation with other really important conservation goals and that actually make sure that these projects are effective.”
Sharma, whose organization has been around for more than 125 years, said there is already a way to expedite wildfire prevention projects without removing environmental protections.
“So, because we already have this expedited process, we think that this bill is unnecessary and you know kind of compromises some of the really essential environmental protection values that we have here in California especially for our forests,” Sharma said.
California bill would extend CEQA suspension to speed coastal wildfire fuel reduction (PHOTO: KCFD)
Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended CEQA requirements in 2025 to help in the recovery following wildfires in Southern California.
Since then, hundreds of wildfire prevention projects have been put into place.
Ellis said, “There’s been over like four hundred wildfire safety projects that we’re approved statewide with as much as thirty days.”
The Sierra Club said California should invest more in efficient permitting.
California bill would extend CEQA suspension to speed coastal wildfire fuel reduction (KBAK/KBFX)
“Like having the necessary staff to move things forward quickly or having much clearer you know, more clear coordination and permitting kind of processes and applications for folks,” Sharma said.