Title
a. Receive an update on proposed State Board of Forestry draft regulations amending State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations; and
b. Approve and Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign and transmit a letter to the State Board of Forestry providing the County's comments on the draft amendments to the State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations.
Report
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Receive an update on proposed State Board of Forestry draft regulations amending State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations; and
b. Approve and Authorize the Chair of the Board of Supervisors to sign and transmit a letter to the State Board of Forestry providing the County's comments on the draft amendments to the State Minimum Fire Safe Regulations.
BACKGROUND
Wildfires are a serious risk to California communities in terms of health, safety, threat to life, loss of property, and impacts to the environment. These issues have gained a higher priority throughout the State after the destructive fires experienced over the past several years, including significant wildfires within Monterey County. Since 1991, lands located in the State Responsibility Area (SRA), an area where wildfire control responsibilities fall to the state, have been governed by regulations developed by the state Board of Forestry (BOF) and enforced by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). These regulations largely address two issues: 1) on-site development (including defensible space, water supply, and driveways), and 2) access to the site (roads and bridges). The BOF staff have proposed modifications of these regulations, and County staff have been participating in the update process.
County staff recognize the serious threat that wildfires pose, and fully supports the underlying intent of State regulations to control development and mitigate wildfire impacts in high-risk zones. However, staff have identified issues with the State's impending draft regulations that would impact the County and ...
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