Newsom Suspends Landmark Environmental Laws to Speed Up Wildfire Prevention Efforts
Emergency Declaration
Declaring a state of emergency, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday suspended two landmark state environmental laws to expedite measures he said were needed to protect communities against devastating wildfires. The two-month anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires is approaching, and the state is preparing for the summer and fall fire season.
Regulatory Suspension
Newsom suspended the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act. The California Environmental Quality Act requires local and state agencies to identify and mitigate environmental impacts of their work. The California Coastal Act lays out regulations for coastal development and protection.
Background on CEQA and the California Coastal Act
The California Environmental Quality Act, known as CEQA, was enacted in 1970 to ensure that state and local agencies consider the environmental impacts of their projects and actions. The California Coastal Act, passed in 1972, aims to protect the state’s 1,100-mile coastline and balance coastal development with environmental protection.
Federal Aid and Criticism
The governor’s moves come as Newsom asks Congress for nearly $40 billion in aid for fire recovery and as President Trump and his allies have attacked the state’s wildfire management. After the January conflagrations, Trump said California should do a better job “raking the forests” to prevent fires. His critics pointed out that the federal government owns more than half the state’s forest land, while the state owns 3%.
Trump’s Criticism
This month, Ric Grenell, the president’s envoy for special missions, said that “there will be conditions” on federal aid to California, singling out the California Coastal Commission — which was established by voter proposition and made permanent by the coastal act — and said it should be “defunded.”
Faster-Track Measures
The governor’s office said the legal moves would fast-track vegetation and tree removal, as well as the creation of fuel breaks and allow for quicker approval for more and bigger planned fires for forest management.
Governor’s Statement
In a statement, Newsom said the suspended regulations were part of his work in “cutting red tape and making historic investments.” “We need to protect our communities most vulnerable to wildfire,” he said.
Previous Efforts
In January, Newsom eased requirements for rebuilding permits and reviews in both acts for fire victims, saying that he would “not give up” on the state’s environmental rules but that “delay is denial” for people who have had “lives, traditions, places torn apart, torn asunder.” In 2019, Newsom also declared a state of emergency and suspended environmental regulations that fell under the California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Natural Resources Agency in order to speed up fire prevention projects. The year before, the Camp fire erupted in Northern California and nearly destroyed the town of Paradise.
Conclusion
By suspending CEQA and the California Coastal Act, Governor Newsom aims to expedite measures to prevent devastating wildfires and protect communities. While some have criticized the move, the governor believes it is necessary to cut through red tape and ensure the state’s environmental rules do not hinder its efforts to prevent wildfires.
FAQs
* What are CEQA and the California Coastal Act?
+ CEQA is a state law that requires local and state agencies to identify and mitigate environmental impacts of their work. The California Coastal Act is a law that regulates coastal development and protection.
* Why did Governor Newsom suspend these laws?
+ The governor suspended these laws to expedite measures to prevent devastating wildfires and protect communities.
* What is the purpose of the suspension?
+ The purpose of the suspension is to allow for faster-track vegetation and tree removal, the creation of fuel breaks, and quicker approval for more and bigger planned fires for forest management.
* What is the current state of fire season in California?
+ The state is preparing for the summer and fall fire season, with the two-month anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires approaching.
