California bill would let tribes share stewardship of state demonstration forests

California lawmakers have passed Assembly Bill 2494, which eliminates the requirement that the state’s 14 demonstration forests generate timber revenue and instead prioritizes carbon sequestration, fire resilience and biodiversity. The bill also directs state officials to forge co-management agreements with Native American tribes, integrating traditional ecological knowledge into forest stewardship.

Proponents see the shift as a chance to replace dwindling logging income with tourism and recreation fees, while critics, including the Rural County Representatives of California, warn that the new goals are too vague and could invite litigation. Cal Fire’s Kevin Conway noted that some forest functions, like wood product research, would likely continue, but funding may need to come from new recreation charges. The bill now proceeds to Governor Gavin Newsom, who must act by September 30.