Environmental Protection Program

The Environmental Protection Program strives to ensure that:

• State and Federal environmental laws are observed
• Forested landscapes are managed wisely
• The state's varied biological resources are enhanced
• Water quality is protected and maintained
• The state's archaeological, historical and tribal cultural resources are protected
• California's wildlands are managed to minimize and offset climate change effects
• The state's woody biomass resource is efficiently utilized

When CAL FIRE decides to approve, permit, fund, or carry out a project that may effect the environment, its decision is subject to disclosure and review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Certain Department activities may be exempt from CEQA due to their emergency nature (e.g., firefighting, flood response) or their minimal likelihood for causing significant impacts (statutory or categorical exemptions). Other actions may require the Department's development and approval of environmental documents, including Environmental Impact Reports. 

In addition to CEQA, CAL FIRE is subject to many other State and Federal laws and regulations - federal and State Endangered Species Acts, Clean Water Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act - and must obtain various permits to carryout certain activities. In conducting its environmental analysis under CEQA, CAL FIRE consults with other agencies, carries out surveys and studies, seeks the opinion of experts and solicits public input. CAL FIRE strives to avoid environmental impacts through modifications in the project such that sensitive resources are protected. Where necessary, CAL FIRE adopts additional mitigations to ensure that impacts to all resources are, individually and cumulatively, less than significant.

CAL FIRE encourages the public's participation in the CEQA process and welcomes input at hearings or through the submittal of written comments.