Comment Log Display

Context:
CARB laid out several potential scenarios to achieve the 2030 GHG
targets mandated by SB32 and AB197. It is clear that achieving the
2030 target will be substantially more challenging than achieving
the 2020 target (figure on slide 16, intro/local action, in ppt
says 671 MMTCO2e cumulative reductions required to achieve 2030
limit) 671 million metric tons is 5.6 times the 120 MMT carbon lost
to fires from 2001 through 2010. Controlling the fires may yield an
even larger fraction of the target, because the carbon recruits
oxygen to form CO2, adding to its weight.

Reducing fires and capturing the value inherent in excess fuels
harvested from forests can support meeting these known
commitments:
 SB 350-increase renewable energy and energy efficiency
 SB 1383 – reduce short-lived climate pollutants
 SB 375 – support sustainable community development
 Mobile Source Strategy- help State achieve its federal and
state air quality standards
 Low Carbon Fuel Standard  
 Short Lived Climate Pollutant Plan

Objectives for Scoping Plan
 Achieve 2030 target
 Provide direct GHG emissions reductions
 Facilitate sub-national and national collaboration  ***
 Support cost-effective and flexible compliance
 Support US EPA Clean Power Plan
 Support climate investment for programs in disadvantaged
communities
 Air quality co-benefits
 Protect public health


Therefore, I suggest, and include added support after my part:

The ARB Natural & Working Lands Inventory is the key report.
(Attached) Slide 16 is the key graph. It shows a huge amount of
carbon lost to forest fires (almost 125,000,000 metric tons C),
from 2001 through 2010, versus 5,000,000 metric tons C, plus or
minus 2 MMT, for each of the other listed ways stock is lost,
through prescribed fire, other mechanical, harvest, clear-cut, or
thinning.
Most of the programs created by CARB create much smaller reductions
in carbon lost to, or injected into, the atmosphere than 125
million metric tons in 10 years.
That is the lynchpin argument for a program of deliberate,
ecologically selective mechanical thinning, with conversion to
usable lumber, compost, humus, and pyrolysis-produced fuel /
chemical feedstocks / electricity (processed within the forest,
using All Power Labs' refineries-on-a-pallet, or sometimes its
container-size version). If the values of the produced products are
acknowledged and processes for monetizing them are created, the
total revenues will substantially exceed expenses, if it is done
creatively.
If it is an indigenous-managed program that sees value in enabling
cultures to return to their ancestral lands and traditions, and
especially if is operating on a national or larger scale, so that
it can take advantage of equipment purchase (and if needed,
development) economies of scale, the returned values can be far
higher and more diverse, and the costs can be lower. 

I'm basically thinking of recovering the ecosystem knowledge
embedded in the language and culture of tribes which have
historically been displaced, and strengthening the value with which
it is held both there and among tribes still on their ancestral
lands, while rapidly developing solid protection from major forest
fires and their immediate conversion of stored carbon to CO2.

Then, in the path of Schumacher's Appropriate Technology and Small
is Beautiful philosophy, bringing in mechanical harvesting and
processing equipment to replace low-level burning, and
incorporating the insights and management tools of ecosystem
management science as practiced today, to create a synthesis which
is in sufficient harmony with the old ways that it can support them
in flourishing. 
I imagine the old process of moving from camp to camp with the
seasons, adapted to camps that are moved as each section of forest
is thinned. Instead of dawn-to-dusk operations, the process could
be paced so that other values are developed part of each day. In
the spirit of dividing up the available jobs under automation, this
could be about getting sufficient value, from doing sufficient
work, and welcoming others to do similar work in neighboring
ecosystems, or within the community's teams. It is a powerful
opportunity to restore culture, and direct spiritual experience and
connection with all of Life. It is likely to be able to afford
potent opportunities for people to get back in communication with
their ancestors, as well, and bring forth messages and teachings.
As this is being planned and developed, the people, or those with a
calling for it among them, could be training in the forest to know
how to be its stewards, and to know exactly what to take where, and
they could also go to the colleges to learn the formal science of
ecology theory and ecosystems management. 
Well planned tribal economic development initiatives can often
leverage corporation status and structures that are UNIQUE to
federally recognized tribes and might provide tax exemption on
certain activities – thereby increasing profitability and economic
sustainability of the efforts in ways not available from other
‘mainstream’ models. The initiatives could be both operated under
the authority of and providing resources to the elders and others
in need. They can be a useful legal protection for the purposes to
which they're turned, and a mental stepping stone from this culture
to the community values of old.
The project can also lead to development of industry, agriculture
and business ecosystems that are part of sustainable economies.

Per Wanda Jean Lord:
Note that the other inter-relationships that could benefit from
bringing a pyrolysis process led by tribes and cutting edge
partners that creates a culturally, environmentally and
economically appropriate development to reduce carbon emissions and
protect lands near or within traditional tribal territories,
include the California Offices for the:
Department of Interior BIA Natural Resources Office (Could be feed
stock provider/partner with Tribes)
Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management (Could be feed
stock provider/partner with Tribes)
US Department of Agriculture (Could be feed stock provider/partner
and/or business model development funding)
US Department of Commerce (Could be Business Model Development
funding and/or CEDS (Community Economic Development Strategies)
funding for Tribes to support initiatives development)
Along with: 
Department of Energy Tribal-specific set-aside grants and/or 
HUD Community Development Block Grant funding around increasing
alternative energy resources for communities (this might support a
County/City/Tribal initiative for instance) 
Also it is important to note that some tribes across the United
States are already moving forward on researching, beta testing and
implementing pyrolysis projects for their communities, and we could
draw upon lessons learned and best practices from those projects to
inform these developments to benefit California.
EPA connections:
It may be possible that the CA “CARB” would want to create a
consistent and viable mechanism of consultation and project funding
processes with those federally recognized tribal nations within the
State of California that are recipients of US EPA Region 9 funding
for “GAP” (Capacity Building) and other individual environmental
protection media activities such as Air Quality, Water Quality and
Municipal Waste, etc. 
A framework from which to assess and propose such a collaboration –
WITH ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING – to appropriately carry out
outreach/education and project implementation(s) is introduced
here:
GAP Workgroup
Facilitate the development and Maintenance of
Effective Core Tribal Environmental Programs
R9-tribal-caucus-workgroup-action-plans.pdf     page 4 of 47
Strengthen Human Health and Environmental Protection in Indian
Country
Under federal environmental statutes, EPA is responsible for
protecting human health and the
environment in Indian country. EPA’s commitment to tribal
environmental and human health
protection has been steadfast for nearly 30 years, as formally
established in the Agency’s 1984
Indian Policy. EPA works with over 560 federally recognized tribes
located across the United
States to improve environmental and human health outcomes.
Approximately 56 million acres
are held in trust by the United States for various Indian tribes
and individuals. Over 10 million
acres of individually owned lands are still held in trust for
allotees and their heirs. Difficult
environmental and health challenges remain in many of these areas,
including lack of
access to safe drinking water, sanitation, adequate waste
facilities, and other environmental
safeguards taken for granted elsewhere.
In collaboration with our tribal government partners, EPA will
engage in a two-part strategy
for strengthening human health and environmental protection in
Indian country. First, EPA
will ensure that its environmental protection programs are
implemented in Indian country
either by EPA or through implementation of environmental programs
by tribes themselves.
Second, EPA will provide resources through grant funds and
technical assistance for federally
recognized tribes to create and maintain effective environmental
program capacity.
Page 34 of 47   Short—Term Activities (Within 1-3 Years)
**Establish and facilitate the work of a committee of Tribal & EPA
representatives to develop a regional implementation plan for EPA's
national Climate Change Adaptation Plan.
Participate with USEPA Region 9 to develop a regional Climate
Change Adaptation Implementation Plan.
Continue to gather information and document impacts of climate
change on Tribal communities.
Facilitate the inclusion of Tribal representation in local, state,
and federal multi-agency working groups addressing climate change
issues.
Identify tribal access to funding sources to support resource
management and mitigation strategies to address impacts of climate
change on tribal communities.
Provide information to Tribal representatives and facilitate Tribal
input on any climate change regulations that may impact Tribal
communities.
Promote the inclusion of Tribal access to resources in any
regulations, policy and/or guidance documents issue by EPA, and
other federal agencies.

These are the tribes in CA which would qualify as appropriate
collaborative partners under the above described criterion, whom
each have federally designated ’service areas’ for which they are
responsible for the tribal enforcement of the Environmental
Protection Act as it pertains to Pesticides, Water, Drinking Water,
Zero Waste, Quality Assurance, and other items: 
Northern California 
Karuk Tribe
Quartz Valley Tribe
Yurok Tribe
Alturas
Berry Creek
Big Lagoon
Blue Lake 
Cedarville
Colusa Indian Community Council
Enterprise
Fort Tidwell
Greenville
Grindstone
Hoops
Mechoopda
Mooretown Rancheria
Paskensa
Pit River
Quartz Valley 
Redding Resighini
Rohnerville
Round Valley 
Smith River 
Susanville
Table Bluff (Wiyot)
Trinidad

Central California
Keshia Bando of Pomo Indians, Stewarts Point Rancheria
Guidiville Rancheria of California
Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake
Auburn
Big Sandy
Big Valley
Buena Vista 
Chat
California Valley Miwok
Chicken Ranch
Cloverdale
Cold Springs 
Cortina 
Coyote Valley 
Dry Creek Elem
Graton Rancheria
Hopland
Ione
Jackson 
Lower Lake
Lytton 
Manchester
Middletown
North Fork 
Picayune
Pinolville
Potter Valley 
Redwood Valley 
Robinson Rancheria
Santa Rosa Rancheria
Scotts Valley 
Sherwood Valley
Shingle Springs 
Table Mountain
Tejon Indian Tribe
Tule River
Tuolumne 
Wilton Rancheria
Ramsey (Yocha Dehe) 

Southern California
La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians of California
Santa Ynez
Santa Isabel
Ague Caliente
Augustine
Barona
Cabezon,
Cahuilla
Campo
Cuyapaipe
Ina
James
La Posta
Los Coyotes
Manzanita
Mesa Grande 
Morongo
Pala
Pauma
Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians
Ramona
Rincon
San Manuel 
Santa Rosa Reservation
Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians
Sichuan
Torres Martinez
Twenty Nine Palms
Viejas

Eastern California
Big Pine 
Utu Uto Benton
Bishop Piaute
Bridgeport
Fort Independence
Lone Pine
Timbisha

Hope this info is a help.
All good thoughts,
Wanda

Wanda Jean Lord
Principal Consultant LORD & ASSOCIATES
Communications, Projects, Research & Development
Member Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
Member Native Americans In Philanthropy (NAP)
Kern County Council of the Green Party of California
211 La Colina Drive  Bakersfield  CA 93305
Email: lordwandajean@gmail.com
Cell: 661 348 2926