California Adopts New Forest Policy in Global Warming Battle
New Protocols Good News for California Fish, Rivers and Aquatic Habitats
The California Air Resources Board overwhelmingly approved measures this afternoon to strengthen existing forest policy, helping to protect California's aquatic habitats and bolstering the state's position at the forefront of public action to address climate change. The newly-adopted California Climate Action Registry Forest Protocols are part of an extensive mandate enacted last year with the approval of AB 32, California's global warming law. The protocols are the first set of greenhouse gas measures in the world to recognize a set of forestry measures that can help address global warming.
The protocols were supported by a variety of groups, including: The Pacific Forest Trust; The Nature Conservancy; Sierra Club California; The California Council of Land Trusts; Environmental Defense; California Trout; The Trust for Public Land; The Conservation Fund, The Wilderness Society; Trout Unlimited; Defenders of Wildlife; Save the Redwoods League; Sierra Forest Legacy; The Greenbelt Alliance; The California Oak Foundation; and Californians Against Waste.
"This historic step forward is the result of dedication and hard work on the part of many, many people," said Brian Stranko, Chief Executive Officer of California Trout, a major supporter of the protocols. "This agreement represents an unprecedented degree of cooperation between widely divergent groups, all of whom recognize the importance of sustaining healthy forests for generations to come."
Based on widely accepted greenhouse gas reduction principles reflected in AB 32 and other climate programs, the protocols provide guidance for three types of forest projectslandowners can undertake voluntarily: conservation, forest management, and reforestation. The protocols were developed through a four-year process, including a public workshop and comment period sponsored by the California Energy Commission and substantial review from the private and public sectors.
One of the most important aspects of the new approach is that it recognizes the importance of healthy forests not only with regard to global climate change, but to a variety of local concerns, including the protection and enhancement of water quality, wildlife habitat, biodiversity, and local timber economies.
"One of the reasons we've played such a strong role in this process is because we recognize that healthy forests are essential for healthy fish populations," said Stranko. "And the reverse is also true: everything we've been doing to help the fish is also good for the forests."
California Trout worked in coalition with The Pacific Forest Trust, The Nature Conservancy and others to spearhead a successful effort to have the protocols recognized and legislatively endorsed via the budget subcommittees in the State Senate and Assembly, and worked with board of forestry staff to enlist their support.
About California Trout
California Trout is dedicated to protecting and restoring wild trout and steelhead waters throughout California. Founded in 1971, California Trout was the first statewide conservation group to focus on securing protections for California's unparalleled wild and native trout diversity. Among its many current initiatives, California Trout is now leading the effort to save the official state fish, which is the California golden trout.
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