California Forest Revitalization Act
Healthy forests. Good jobs. Fewer wildfires. A ballot initiative that puts California's forests—and forest communities—first.
🌲 What Is This Act About?
California's forests are sick. Too many trees are packed together, creating "fuel" for giant wildfires. At the same time, the sawmills that could turn extra trees into useful products have closed down. The California Forest Revitalization Act fixes BOTH problems—healthier forests AND more jobs for rural communities.
🔥 The Forest Crisis Is Real
Our forests have changed. A hundred years ago, California forests had 40-80 trees per acre. Now many have over 300 trees packed into the same space! That's like stuffing 300 people into a room built for 50—everyone suffers.
(should be 40-80)
since 1980
(even for emergencies!)
When forests burn, they release stored carbon into the air. Unhealthy forests make climate change WORSE, not better!
🌲 A Smarter Way to Care for Forests
For thousands of years, California's Native American tribes used "cultural burning" to keep forests healthy. Small, controlled fires cleared out brush and extra trees. The forests thrived.
Then Europeans came and said "stop all fires!" For over 100 years, we let dead wood and small trees pile up. Now when a fire starts, it has so much fuel that it becomes a MONSTER.
The California Forest Revitalization Act brings back smart forest care. It respects Indigenous wisdom. It removes extra trees safely. And it turns that wood into useful products instead of letting it burn.
🗺️ Three Zones = Balanced Protection
Zone 1: Old-Growth Reserves
NO commercial logging. These ancient forests (80+ years old) are protected forever. Only cultural burning by tribes, scientific research, and quiet trails allowed.
Zone 2: Community Protection
Aggressive fuel reduction. Areas near towns get extra attention. We remove dangerous fuel loads to protect homes and families from wildfire.
Zone 3: Working Forests
Sustainable harvesting. Careful tree removal that ALWAYS keeps 60% canopy cover. No clear-cutting. Multi-age, healthy forests that provide jobs AND wildlife habitat.
🎁 What This Act Does for California
Fewer Megafires
Removing excess fuel means fires stay small and manageable
Good Jobs
Rebuild sawmills and create family-wage careers in rural areas
Climate Help
Healthy forests absorb carbon instead of releasing it in fires
Clean Water
150-200 foot buffers around streams protect fish and drinking water
Wildlife Habitat
Old-growth reserves and diverse forests support all species
Faster Permits
45-day decisions instead of 12+ months for fire hazard projects
🪶 Honoring Indigenous Wisdom
Cultural Burning as a Right
Tribes can conduct traditional burns as a sovereign right. Same liability protections as CAL FIRE.
Equal Partners, Not Stakeholders
Three tribal representatives on the Oversight Commission. Government-to-government consultation required.
Protected Funding
15% of the fund goes to tribal programs—and this money is protected from budget cuts.
Co-Stewardship Agreements
Tribes can partner to manage federal forests using traditional knowledge.
💼 Real Jobs for Rural California
Sawmill Workers
Tax breaks for new mills mean more jobs turning trees into lumber
No sales tax on equipment!Biomass Energy
Forest waste becomes clean electricity instead of smoke
Green Industrial ZonesBiochar Production
Turn wood into carbon-rich soil amendment that helps farms
Climate credits availableEcoPressboard
State buys forest-waste building materials for roads and buildings
50% state contracts by 2030Employment Tax Credit: Up to $37,000 per worker over 5 years for businesses that pay 150%+ of minimum wage!
🌿 Stronger Environmental Protections
This act doesn't weaken environmental rules—it makes them STRONGER than current law!
Bigger Stream Buffers
150-200 foot no-cut zones around streams (current law: only 50-75 feet)
Old-Growth Protected
Forests 80+ years old: NO commercial harvest. Period.
60% Canopy Always
No clear-cutting. Forests must keep 60% overhead cover at all times.
No More Slash Burning
By 2032, forest waste must be recycled—not burned in smoky piles.
🗺️ Starting in CA-2: A National Model
California's 2nd Congressional District will be the testing ground. If it works here, it can work across the entire American West!
These counties have lost over 50% of their sawmills. They have high unemployment and huge fire risk. They're ready for change—and they can show the nation how it's done.
💰 Where the Money Comes From
NO General Fund money! This act pays for itself through dedicated fees:
How it's spent: CAL FIRE Staffing (20%) • Federal Coordination (25%) • Economic Incentives (30%) • Tribal Programs (15%) • Oversight (5%) • Reserve (5%)
📅 When Does This Happen?
🌲 Healthy Forests. Good Jobs. Safer Communities.
The California Forest Revitalization Act is a common-sense solution that environmentalists, timber workers, tribes, and rural communities can all support. It's time to stop watching our forests burn and start caring for them the right way.
Gregory Burgess for Congress
No Party Preference • California's 2nd Congressional District
"Show Your Work" Campaign