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AB 763

Timber harvesting: streambed agreement: waste discharge requirements.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Ward

AB 763 speeds timber harvesting approvals by requiring DFW streambed agreements and RWQCB general WDRs to be issued within 5 working days of plan approval or complete requests.

In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
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Bill Summary · AB 763

AB 763 — Timber harvesting: streambed agreement: waste discharge requirements

A concise, nonpartisan summary of the bill as introduced in 2025.

Purpose and intent

  • Streamline and accelerate the process for obtaining streambed agreements and waste discharge requirements (WDRs) related to timber harvesting.
  • Ensure faster authorization of timber harvesting activities that are conducted in compliance with approved timber harvesting plans and, where applicable, general WDRs adopted by Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs).

Key provisions and changes

1) Fish and Wildlife Code amendment (timber harvesting and streambed agreements)

  • The bill amends Section 1611 of the Fish and Game Code.
  • When a timber harvesting plan is submitted (under PRC §4581 or directly to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal Fire), the plan constitutes notice to the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) if it includes specified information (detailed inventory of volumes, water use, equipment, vegetation impacts, area involved, a diagram showing the location and access, and the operation period).
  • New timeline: DFW must issue a streambed agreement within 5 working days after the timber harvesting plan is approved by Cal Fire (instead of the prior practice resembling a minimum 60-day processing window post-notification completion).
  • The agreement term start date is the date operations first commence, unless a later date is specified in the agreement.
  • The current requirement that a notification is processed only after both the timber plan and the notification fee are received remains in place.

2) Water Code addition (general WDRs for timber harvesting)

  • The bill adds Section 13263.8 to the Water Code.
  • For RWQCBs that have established general WDRs for timber harvesting, the board must authorize timber harvesting operations within 5 working days of receiving a complete request, provided the operations are conducted in accordance with an approved timber harvesting plan and the applicable general WDRs.
  • This creates a parallel expedited pathway under water quality controls, aligning with the expedited streambed agreement timeline.

Who is affected

  • Timber harvesting operators and project proponents (through Cal Fire and the harvesting plan process).
  • Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) – plan approval role.
  • Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) – streambed agreement issuance.
  • Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs) – administration of general WDRs for timber harvesting.
  • Regional/landscape stakeholders and potentially local communities impacted by streambed and water quality activities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative status: In committee; first hearing set, but hearing canceled at the request of the author as of the latest update.
    • In committee: Set, first hearing (April 4, 2025).
    • Referred to committees on March 24, 2025.
  • Key timing changes:
    • DFW streambed agreement: must be issued within 5 working days after Cal Fire approves the timber harvesting plan.
    • RWQCB general WDR authorization: within 5 working days of a complete request, if operations conform to the approved plan and general WDRs.
  • No fiscal appropriation attached (Digest indicates no appropriation; fiscal committee is listed as involved).

Potential impacts

  • Positive: Reduced wait times for authorization to commence timber harvesting, potentially minimizing project delays and improving planning certainty for operators.
  • Safeguards: Maintains environmental protections through required plan contents and ongoing alignment with WDRs; streambed and water quality oversight remains in place, albeit with tighter timelines.
  • Oversight and implementation will depend on adherence to the specified information in plans and timely action by Cal Fire, DFW, and RWQCBs.

Overall, AB 763 aims to speed up regulatory approvals for timber harvesting activities while maintaining required environmental compliance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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