Knowledge

CA 2025 Trailer Bills—
A Deep-Dive Series

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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife prepared the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan to provide a set of management actions to conserve western Joshua trees in California. As a tool to conserve a species that is abundant now but is projected to lose future habitat due to climate change, the Conservation Plan was developed in collaboration with the California Fish and Game Commission, governmental agencies, California Native American Tribes, and the public. The Conservation Plan serves as a landmark commitment by CDFW to integrate co-management principles with the Tribes by incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into species conservation and providing for the relocation of western Joshua trees to Tribal lands upon a request from a Tribe.
Project Learning

Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan – Comprehensive Management Actions

On December 31, 2025, Governor Newsom extended the deadline to submit applications under the State of Emergency Proclamation issued March 1, 2025, which fast-tracks critical fire fuels reduction projects . The Emergency Proclamation suspends numerous state environmental statutes and regulations for certain public safety projects that reduce catastrophic wildfire risk. Qualifying wildfire resilience projects that implement specified environmental protection measures are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the California Coastal Act, and other environmental permitting laws and regulations. The deadline for project applications has been extended to May 1, 2026.
Thinking

Governor Extends Environmental Law Suspension for Critical Wildfire Safety Projects

California’s 2024–25 budget trailer bills—AB 130 and SB 131—have introduced significant changes to CEQA, planning and zoning law, and building codes. What do these reforms mean for projects in your community? Ascent’s Erik de Kok, Chad Beckstrom, and Greta Brownlow joined Ali Pezeshkpour from the City of Santa Ana for an in-depth discussion on the practical implications of these legislative changes. The webinar takes a deep dive into the key provisions related to housing development and CEQA reform more broadly.
Event Learning

CEQA Reform Webinar: Understanding What AB 130 and SB 131 Mean for Your Community

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The adoption of the California state budget on June 30 was accompanied by a trailer bill package that included some surprises in the enactment of Assembly Bill (AB) 130 and Senate Bill 131. While much of the discussion regarding the trailer bills has been focused on a substantial California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pivot, an eye-opener for climate action came with AB 130, which incorporated the previously introduced AB 306 and its moratorium on residential reach codes until 2031. This bill has fundamentally altered the regulatory environment for reach codes for the next six years.
Thinking, Event Learning

AB 130 Residential Reach Code Moratorium – Implications for Climate Action 

On March 1, 2025, Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency to expedite implementation of fire fuel treatment projects. Among other provisions, the Proclamation directs the suspension of certain “statutes, rules, regulations, and requirements” for projects subject to approval by departments of the California Natural Resources Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency for “critical fuel reduction projects” that are “initiated this calendar year.” It also called for the immediate update of the California Vegetation Treatment Program EIR to increase its usefulness and efficiency for “promoting rapid environmental review for large wildfire risk reduction treatments.” At its Regional Meeting in Marin County on March 27, 2025, the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force released more information to explain how CNRA and CalEPA will execute this directive.
Event Learning

Task Force Shares Information on Governor’s Emergency Proclamation to Expedite Fire Fuel Treatments

Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) focus on reducing wildfire risk to people, homes, businesses, watersheds, cultural resources, infrastructure, natural ecosystems, and other values or resources within the community. CWPPs are collaboratively developed by local, state, federal and tribal partners, such as emergency responders, FireSafe Councils, local planning staff, and state or federal resource agencies. The California CWPP Toolkit, a great new resource, has been launched by the state. It is a free online resource containing a comprehensive guide, customizable template, best practices, and additional resources to help communities develop and implement effective CWPPs.
Event Learning

CEQA Considerations for Community Wildfire Protection Plans

How do you build consensus when facing a challenge as complicated and intersectional as climate change? Check out our free recorded webinar and scenario toolkit to learn how to collaborate with stakeholders to create a climate action plan that meets multiple objectives and benefits.
Event Learning

Consensus Building for Climate Action Planning –
A Professional Development Webinar

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