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Comment 20 for Forests Comments for the GHG Scoping Plan (sp-forests-ws) - 1st Workshop.
First Name: Bob
Last Name: Williams
Email Address: jsisneros@tehamacountyadmin.org
Affiliation: Tehama County Board of Supervisors
Subject: Catastrophic wildfire impact on air quality
Comment:
August 5, 2008 Mary D. Nichols, Chair California Air Resources Board 1001 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Re: Climate Change Scoping Plan, June 2008 Discussion Draft Dear Chairperson Nichols: Tehama County welcomes the opportunity to comment on the June 2008 Discussion Draft of the Climate Change Scoping Plan. We do have a concern that the document does not adequately address the serious issue of catastrophic wildfire, and believe that wildfire mitigation and prevention are vital to meeting the goals set forth in AB 32. As you are aware, in May 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger issued Executive Order S-03-08, which specifically directed CalEPA and the California Resources Agency to oversee the Climate Action Team's development of measures for wildfire fuels reduction and biomass utilization. In light of the Executive Order, the current rampant wildfires around the state, and the Governor’s recent emergency declarations, we are troubled that no such measures have been outlined in the Scoping Plan. Recent wildfires have had major impacts on air quality, contributing significantly to California’s carbon and particulate emissions. Catastrophic wildfires, typically located on United States Forest Service (USFS) lands, could be prevented if these lands were more efficiently managed. The Draft Scoping Plan makes only a vague mention of fuels reduction and fails to address emissions from fires on USFS lands. Tehama County strongly urges ARB to include a firm commitment by the state in the Final Draft Scoping Plan to join with local governments to advocate at the federal level for enhanced management on USFS lands, as well as an extensive program to quantify wildfire emissions that could be avoided through better forest management practices. This is vital not only in meeting the goals of AB 32, but more importantly to improving the quality of the air and public health. We thank you for your consideration of our comments. Sincerely, Bob Williams, Chairman Tehama County Board of Supervisors CC: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Members, California Air Resources Board RCRC CSAC
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted: 2008-08-08 15:16:48
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