Author Archives: Kolbie Johnson

APRIL 2025: GOVERNOR NEWSOM (1) SIGNS BILL TO INVEST $170 MILLION TO PREVENT CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES –(FUNDS CONSERVANCIES); (2) LAUNCHES STREAMLINED ONLINE PERMITTING PROCESS TO FAST TRACK WILDFIRE PROJECTS

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken these two actions: ONE: Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 100 of 2025(Gabriel) which allocates over $170 million in accelerated funding to conservancies for forest and vegetation management across California. The bill also allocates $10 million to support wildfire response and resiliency. Funding to conservancies includes: $30,904,000 to the…

MORE INFORMATION AND DIRECT LINK TO NEW “WILDFIRE RISK REDUCTION PROJECT STREAMING REQUESTS” WEBPAGE(AND APPLICATION PROCESS) — SAYS: “CAN REDUCE REVIEW AND APPROVAL FROM ONE YEAR TO ONE MONTH”

A MESSAGE FROM THE OFFICE OF CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM: A new online streamlining request process now makes it easier to get State approval to implement critical wildfire risk reduction projects.   Information on project eligibility, the Statewide Fuels Reduction Environmental Protection Plan, FAQs, and the request form are available on the Task Force website.…

REGISTER NOW FOR ZOOM: WEBINAR THIS FRIDAY APRIL 11 AT 2:00 PM LEARN HOW THE GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY ORDER ON WILDFIRE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED — PROJECTS, PERMIT STREAMLINING AND MORE

Contact: Sky Biblin, Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force Webinar on Fast-Tracking Wildfire Safety Projects and Expanding Beneficial Fire: Executing Governor Newsom’s Emergency Order on Wildfire WHAT: In response to escalating wildfire threats, Governor Newsom recently proclaimed a state of emergency to expedite projects that will protect California communities from catastrophic wildfire. Join California Natural Resources Secretary…

DECISION SIGNED FOR CALDOR FIRE RESTORATION PROJECT PHASE 1: “MECHANICAL FUELS REDUCTION, PRESCRIBED BURNING, AND REPAIR OF INFRASTRUCTURE”

Forest Service News Release Contact: Kristi Schroeder kristi.schroeder@usda.gov Decision Signed for Caldor Fire Restoration Project Phase 1 PLACERVILLE, Calif., March 28, 2025 — The Eldorado National Forest has signed a Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Caldor Fire Restoration Project Phase I. The project aims to reduce safety risks, restore…

AIR RESOURCES BOARD SCHEDULES “ONE-STOP TRUCK EVENT” IN FORTUNA, CALIFORNIA (ON THE NORTH COAST) — APRIL 18, 2025

MESSAGE FROM THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD: APRIL 18, 2025, ONE-STOP TRUCK EVENT IN FORTUNA Free, informational event for medium – and heavy- duty vehicle owners, operators, fleets, motorhomes, and communities; free admission and free parking The California Air Resources Board(CARB) is coming to a location near you. Fortuna , CA is the next stop…

WATCH INSTEAD OF JUST LISTEN: VIDEO INSTEAD OF AUDIO ONLY OF “MIKE ROWE INTERVIEWS MIKE ALBRECHT(ALC/ACL) PODCAST

WHY Is America The Biggest Lumber Importer In The World? | Mike Albrecht #428 | The Way I Heard It ABOVE: A LINK TO THE “VIDEO VERSION” OF THE PODCAST IN WHICH MIKE ROWE(“DIRTY JOBS”) INTERVIEWS MIKE ALBRECHT(PRESIDENT, AMERICAN LOGGERS COUNCIL; PAST PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATED CALIFORNIA LOGGERS) BACKGROUND: ON MARCH 10, 2025 MIKE ALBRECHT WAS INTERVIEWED…

“CRAFT” APPRENTICESHIP 5-DAY INTENSIVE TRAINING ON LOGGING EQUIPMENT

CRAFT Apprenticeship Intensive Flyer (LINK ABOVE) “ “CRAFT” stands for “California Registered Apprenticeship Forest Training” Associated California Loggers Executive Director Eric Carleson is on the CRAFT steering committee. CRAFT WISHES TO ADVISE YOU: “Elevate Your Skills With…5-Day Intensive Training on equipment(options include: skidder, loader, hot saw, processor.) “ALL TRAINING EXPENSE COVERED (per conditions)—“Including Travel, Lodging,…

“CLICK YOUR WAY” TO TELL YOUR TWO US SENATORS IN CALIFORNIA: VOTE FOR THE “FIX OUR FORESTS ACT” (HR 471 OF 2025)

Catastrophic wildfires are destroying our forests, homes, and communities. We can’t afford more delays—Congress must act now. The bipartisan Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471) is a solution we need. This critical legislation, sponsored by Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), will streamline forest management, reduce fuel loads, and help prevent devastating…

MARCH 17, 2025: ACL BOARD MEMBER DOUG STOY TESTIFIES IN SACRAMENTO ON TAX RELIEF FROM THE DIXIE FIRE

TESTIMONY OF DOUG STOY IN SUPPORT: ASSEMBLY BILL 429 BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER HEATHER HADWICK ASSEMBLY REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEE MARCH 17, 2025 SACRAMENTO Editor’s Note: . Doug Stoy is a Board Member of Associated California Loggers and is the Plumas-Sierra Chapter Chair. Doug owns DL Stoy Logging, based in Quincy, California, Plumas County Doug and his family lived…

CAL FIRE INTRODUCES NEW, UPDATED VERSION OF THE LICENSED TIMBER OPERATOR (“LTO”) APPPLICATION

RM-3A_New LTO Application_2025_KL A MESSAGE FROM CAL FIRE: We have updated our Timber Operator License Application for new LTO’s. The main change is to the certification/validation of work experience section. I had mentioned this at the Associated California Loggers Board Meeting that I attended in Redding. I have attached a copy of the new form. (LINK ABOVE). With this…