First Name: | Jerry |
---|---|
Last Name: | Davies |
Email Address: | jerrydavies55@gmail.com |
Affiliation | California Fire Safe Council |
Subject | Invest in Healthy Forests and Watersheds with California Fire Safe Council |
Comment |
The Board of Directors of California Fire Safe Council (Board) urges the Air Resources Board to focus cap and trade auction proceeds to support healthy forests and watersheds across California. Particularly, the Board expresses the urgent need for funding for fuel reduction and hazard mitigation projects in areas hardest hit by the drought-related tree mortality. On October 30, 2015, Governor Edmund G. Brown declared a state of emergency in response to the widespread tree mortality caused by severe drought conditions and epidemic pest infestations. As California endures its fourth year of extreme drought conditions, immediate action must be taken to remove dead and dying trees from the landscape to reduce the risk to public safety and infrastructure. Funding is urgently needed for fuel reduction and hazard mitigation projects in areas hardest hit by the drought-related tree mortality. CFSC offers its reputable Grants Clearinghouse as an efficient vehicle for delivering wildfire prevention and hazard mitigation funds for work on private and non-federal land to tackle the issue. As a statewide 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CFSC supports and advocates on behalf of over 200 local Fire Safe Councils and Firewise Communities. Since 1993, CFSC has worked in partnership with the federal fire agencies as well as CAL FIRE, local fire districts, insurance companies, utilities and local citizens. CFSC receives fire prevention grants from federal agencies to provide subgrants to Fire Safe Councils, fire departments, resource conservation districts and other organizations to implement hazardous fuel reduction projects, wildfire mitigation planning, and community education and outreach programs across California. Since 2004, the innovative Grants Clearinghouse funding mechanism has awarded over 900 grants totaling more than $85 million, thanks to financial support from the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In total, these dollars have protected 2,450,000 homes and 10,300,000 residents. However, current funding only allows CFSC to fund 30% of the applications it receives for hazardous fuel reduction projects and community education and planning programs throughout the state. Each year, dozens of quality projects go unfunded leaving communities without vital fire prevention and mitigation work. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that over 22 million trees are dead and tens of millions more are likely to die by the end of the year. Southern California Edison reports that over 200,000 dead and dying trees currently impact powerlines and infrastructure within its territory. Pacific Gas & Electric has also experienced unprecedented tree mortality along its overhead, electric distribution system – with 2015 totals nearly 100% above its 2010-2014 five-year average. CFSC expresses grave concern that the dead and dying trees across the state pose a direct threat to homes and infrastructure. This is a public safety concern that needs to be addressed through immediate removal of the hazardous vegetation. Projects funded through the Grants Clearinghouse involve hazardous fuels reduction throughout the state’s forests and wildland urban interface to mitigate the impact of wildfire on communities. The projects are linked to approved community wildfire protection plans (CWPP) and fire management plans. Many projects have the dual benefit of removing excess fuel, small trees and undergrowth, producing biomass material which can be utilized for energy production. The Board thanks the Air Resources Board for the opportunity to submit comments in response to the Draft Second Investment Plan for cap and trade auction proceeds. We look forward to viewing the final version of the plan in the governor’s budget in January. Sincerely, /s/ Jerry Davies Chairman / CEO jerrydavies55@gmail.com (805) 559-0082 |
Attachment |
Original File Name:
Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2015-11-13 14:23:21 |
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