If you want to cut down timber, you need to submit a timber harvesting plan prepared by a certified forester to the state's department. This plan is required on top of a separate license needed for timber operations.

This law section outlines the requirements for filing a timber harvesting plan when someone plans to harvest timber on a piece of land. Whoever files the plan must notify the landowner if they are not the owner themselves. The plan becomes public and must include specific details like the names and addresses of involved parties, land description with maps, logging and erosion prevention methods, special protection measures for unique areas, and the timeframe for operations. A forester must inspect and certify the area, and additional information may be required according to board regulations.

This law requires the board to set up rules by May 1, 1985, for notifying people when someone plans to harvest timber. This notice has to be given within two working days after a timber harvesting plan is submitted. The rules need to consider how much work it takes to send these notices. Notices can be sent in various ways, including by mail. The person submitting the timber harvesting plan might have to give a list of who got the mail and confirm that it was sent.

This law states that timber harvesting plans must be tailored to a specific piece of property and consider various characteristics such as the type of plants on the land, how stable the soil is, the shape and features of the land, the geological makeup, the climate, and the features of any streams in the area.

This law covers the process for reviewing timber harvesting plans in California. When the department receives a plan, they must make it available for public inspection and send copies to key environmental and planning agencies for review. These agencies are encouraged to submit any concerns or suggestions within a set comment period. If they fail to do so, it's assumed they have no input, but this doesn't imply the plan won't impact the environment. Extensions for responses are possible if needed. Public hearings can be requested by county officials to gather more public feedback before any decisions are made. The department is responsible for responding in writing to all significant public comments or issues raised.

This section outlines the process for reviewing timber harvesting plans in California. After an inspection, the director has a specific timeframe to review the plan and consider public and agency comments to ensure it fits within current rules. If a plan is not compliant, it must be sent back with reasons, and the applicant has the right to a hearing. They can appeal, and the board reviews it through a public hearing. If still not approved, changes must be made quickly, or operations can't start. The director consults with other agencies but ultimately has the final say on plan approval.

When a timber harvesting plan is approved, or a certain type of timber operation notice is received, the director has 10 days to send copies to the State Board of Equalization. This includes notices for small land conversions or emergencies. These notices must also state whether the harvested timber will be subject to the timber yield tax, based on an estimate from the timber owner.

If a timber plan is approved, the Director of Fish and Game or the State Water Resources Control Board can appeal this decision within 10 days, halting operations until the appeal is resolved. This appeal can only happen if these agencies have previously reviewed and inspected the plan. The appeal process involves demonstrating significant environmental or public safety concerns, and the board will hold a hearing within 30 days to make a final decision. During the hearing, evidence is presented, and a committee may be appointed to lead the process. The board has the final say, either approving or denying the plan based on California law, and they can suggest changes that would make the plan acceptable. The decision made by the committee carries the same weight as one made by the full board, unless transferred to the board for a significant reason.

This section explains that a plan to harvest timber cannot be approved if it causes pollution to water areas already recognized as impaired by sediment. If a regional water quality board finds evidence of such pollution, they can block the approval. This authority can be transferred to the board's executive officer, whose decision, however, can be reviewed upon request.

If the board concludes a plan will lead to pollution, they must alert the director before public comments close, instructing not to approve the plan. If issues causing the board's objection aren't fixed in time, the director must deny the plan and explain the reasons in writing to the person who submitted it.

This law states that when the director reviews timber harvesting plans, they must strictly follow the rules set by the board and the provisions in this specific chapter. No other criteria should be considered.

If you have a timber harvesting plan, it must follow all the rules that are in place when your plan officially starts. Once you begin harvesting, you need to stick to the stocking standards set at that time. However, if new rules come up after you've started, you're generally expected to follow those unless you've already invested significantly based on the old rules and switching to the new ones would cost you a lot more money.

If a registered professional forester, who prepared or is involved with a timber harvesting plan, notices any changes that might affect environmental standards or regulations, they must report these issues to the plan's owner and operator.

This law states that if a registered professional forester is found to have lied or made a significant false statement when submitting a timber harvesting plan or report, they will face disciplinary actions as outlined in another section of the law.

This law allows the forestry board to exempt certain forest management activities from statewide regulations if they meet specific criteria that align with the chapter's goals. Those activities include utility line construction, minor agricultural product collection, managing dead or diseased trees, site preparation, and parkland timber operations. It also covers small land conversions and actions related to reducing wildfire risks near structures. Each exemption has detailed conditions about documentation, site inspections, and compliance with certain forestry and conservation practices.

These exemptions are meant to facilitate specific forestry-related activities while ensuring safety, environmental conservation, and sustainable forest management. For example, certain tree removals to maintain open fuel breaks or oak woodlands restoration are exempt but must follow guidelines for tree sizing, area limits, and professional oversight. The law also emphasizes adherence to fire hazard mitigation efforts and potential penalties for violations.

This section outlines the rules for timber operations in California under certain exemptions. Operators must submit notices of exemption to the director, including detailed maps and confidential archaeological data, except for some activities. All fuel treatments (like slash and woody debris removal) must comply with specific completion timelines. For example, burning must be done within two years. Particular treatment is needed near structures, and some tree types are protected from harvesting unless specific conditions are met.

Timber operations in the Lake Tahoe area require a local permit, and operations generally cannot start for ten working days after notice submission unless this is waived. Large old trees have strict rules for removal, needing a forester's justification, and maps must depict trees to be harvested. Helicopter yarding is banned, and professional foresters must comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Several agencies must receive copies of the exemption notices, and notice must include a start date for operations.

This section sets standards for timber operations under certain exemptions. When operators submit a notice of exemption, they must include a map and a confidential archaeological letter that meet specific requirements. Fuel treatments must be completed within a year, except for burning, which has a two-year deadline. Slash and debris need to be treated to a specific depth, and any timber near structures must be managed to reduce fire risk.

Operations in the Lake Tahoe Region require special permits. Notices of exemption need to outline criteria for tree harvesting and provide important dates. These notices also need to be shared with relevant agencies. Operations can't begin until 10 days after notice receipt, unless fast-tracked by the director, and specific approval rules apply for certain types of trees to ensure wildlife and safety considerations are met.

The rules prohibit helicopter logging and require adherence to professional forestry laws.

This law clarifies that if you own timber that's been harvested, you still need to register with the State Board of Equalization and pay any required timber yield taxes, even if Section 4584 seems to say otherwise.

This law states that after finishing certain parts of a timber harvesting project, the timber owner must file a report with the state department within one month. This report should confirm that most of the work is done, except for stocking, site preparation, and specific maintenance tasks. However, if only part of the work is done, the owner can submit a yearly report showing what has been completed so far. They must also include a map clearly marking the finished areas.

This law requires that the director check if the work described in a specific report has been finished correctly within six months. The director will inspect the work to ensure it follows all the rules and standards. If everything is done right, the director issues a report confirming it's completed satisfactorily. If not, the director must decide on and implement the necessary corrective action.

This law requires timber owners to file a report about tree stocking—essentially, how well trees are growing back—within five years after finishing timber operations. This report is submitted to a specific department to verify that tree growth meets established standards. If areas meet the stocking requirements right after operations, a report can be filed sooner.

There are also rules about when they can skip certain tree counting procedures. If both the director (or their representative) and the timber owner or a forester agree that there are enough trees growing back as required, they might not need to use detailed sampling methods. If they don't agree, sampling is mandatory.

This law section states that within six months after receiving a stocking report, the director must inspect to ensure stocking is correctly completed. If it is done properly, the director will issue a report confirming everything is satisfactory. If not, the director will take necessary corrective actions based on relevant laws.

This section requires the department and relevant boards to consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the State Water Resources Control Board to review and report on the use and effectiveness of certain forestry exemptions and emergency notices each year, starting December 31, 2019. The report must analyze whether these exemptions achieve their goals, recommend improvements, and include data on road construction related to these exemptions, as well as any violations and enforcement actions. It also requires details on inspections and participation by relevant agencies. Amendments to tree harvest limitations should be suggested in the 2025 report. The public must have a chance to participate in the review process. These requirements are only active for five years following the implementation of emergency regulations.

This law governs the duration and extension of timber harvesting plans in California. Initially, a plan is valid for five years after approval. It can be extended by two years if logging has started and follows all rules, provided there is a good reason for the delay. Extensions must be requested at least 10 days before the plan expires and should include reasons and compliance agreement. Extra two-year extensions apply to plans approved between 2014 and 2015 if a certified forester confirms no major environmental changes. Extensions can't be approved if protected species are found or if the land has changed significantly. Any extensions due to significant changes must follow specific regulations.

This section explains how amendments to a timber harvesting plan can be made. If there are major changes to the original plan, these must be submitted and approved by the relevant department before proceeding, following specific guidelines. Amendments cannot extend the plan's period, except under certain conditions outlined elsewhere.

This law states that the board should create rules that tell operators which changes they can make without needing to submit a new plan but still have to report later to the department. It also requires the board to outline how these changes should be reported.

This law allows a registered professional forester to file an 'emergency notice' for timber operations to start immediately during emergencies. This is done for a timber owner or operator and must include a declaration under penalty of perjury confirming the emergency, ensuring all relevant taxes will be paid. The board defines what constitutes an emergency, which can include situations like fire-damaged timber or urgent road repairs.

This section outlines the responsibility of the department to support the standardized and efficient management of timber harvesting plans. It ensures that plan submitters can expect timely decisions and requires the department to furnish clear guidance and checklists. This helps submitters understand what's required for an adequate plan and aligns with regulatory rules.

Additionally, the department is tasked with avoiding duplication in the review process and enhancing plan review accuracy. The section also emphasizes the role of responsible agencies in incorporating detailed mitigation measures, especially under the California Environmental Quality Act, to prevent repeated information requests during the permit process.

Finally, it clarifies that the department and other agencies can enforce additional compliance requirements if new issues arise after approval, and defines "plan" in a broad sense to include various related documents and reports.