CalVTP Update

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is preparing an update to the CalVTP Program EIR. On March 1, 2025,

Governor Newsom issued an emergency proclamation that directs the Board to “take immediate steps to update the [CalVTP Program EIR]… to increase the CalVTP’s efficiency and utilization, in order to continue promoting rapid environmental review for large wildfire risk reduction treatments.” According to the Board’s experience with CalVTP implementation and feedback received from project proponents, implementing entities, regulatory and resource agencies, and others, the following categories of updates have been preliminarily identified. This list is not comprehensive, and more updates to the program will be identified through planned outreach as directed by the emergency proclamation and required under CEQA

• Expand the treatable landscape into areas suitable for vegetation treatment regardless of fire suppression responsibility designation.
• Incorporate in the program description the disposition of biomass generated by vegetation treatment, as necessary, including its commercial sale for the purpose of cost recovery.
• Recognize the dual objectives of cultural resource protection and ecological restoration through vegetation management activities that integrate Indigenous knowledge and tribal ecological knowledge.
• Clarify and revise CalVTP standard project requirements and mitigation measures to promote their efficient implementation while protecting environmental resources.
• Increase the efficiency of the Project-Specific Analysis preparation process for later activities under the CalVTP.

Details on the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the update to the Program EIR will be posted here, along with the date and time of a public scoping meeting.