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. 

AB 52 Tribal Consultations

AB 52 Tribal Consultations are underway, and Tribal Round Table Sessions were conducted on August 20, 2025.

Contact Kristina.Wolf@bof.ca.gov  if you are a tribal representative and wish to consult with the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection regarding the CalVTP Update.

CalVTP 2019 PEIR Litigation Updates

On January 28, 2020, California Chaparral Institute and Endangered Habitats League filed a petition for writ of mandate in San Diego County Superior Court challenging the 2019 CalVTP PEIR, alleging CEQA violations focused on analysis of chaparral/coastal sage scrub type conversion and resulting relative wildfire risk. The Superior Court ruled in November 2023, denying the petition, concluding the Board’s analysis met the substantial-evidence standard under CEQA for all issues, and upholding the PEIR.  Petitioners appealed the Superior Court decision. 

On June 30, 2025, the California Court of Appeal reversed the lower court’s ruling. The appellate court held that substantial evidence did not support the Board’s findings that the CalVTP would avoid adverse effects of native chaparral and coastal sage scrub type conversion, including a potential increase in flammability of non-native grasses invading project sites after treatments. The appellate court remanded the case back to the Superior Court with directions to grant the writ and describe requirements for an adequate analysis of type conversion and its adverse effects. The appellate court also directed the Superior Court to decide if any specific vegetation treatment projects should be suspended pending the analysis directed by the writ. With the current CalVTP PEIR Update underway, the Board is seeking to incorporate analysis directed by the writ into the PEIR Update.

The Board and the Petitioners are currently in active discussions to come to an agreement regarding the form of the writ’s direction to achieve adequate analysis. Discussions are also addressing the degree to which treatment activities may need to be temporarily suspended during the preparation of the directed analysis. The Board is seeking the court’s acceptance that the 2019 CalVTP PEIR may continue to be used for environmental clearance of as broad a spectrum of projects as possible, recognizing the important role CalVTP plays in helping protect communities and resources from California’s ongoing wildfire crisis. As clarity about the Superior Court’s writ develops, the Board will work with CalVTP project proponents to provide guidance on next steps.