Board Organization

Pursuant to Section 730 of the California Public Resources Code there is in the Department of Forestry a State Board of Forestry. All members of the Board are appointed by the Governor on the basis of their professional and educational qualifications and their general knowledge or interest in problems that relate to watershed management, forest management, fish and wildlife, range improvement, forest economics, or land use policy.

A chairman chosen by the Governor presides over the Board. The members annually elect a vice-chairman from their number. To achieve a balanced approach to forest land policy, the Public Resources Code delineates the character of the Board by designating that five members will be from the general public, three are chosen from the forest products industry, and one member is from the range-livestock industry.

When a member is appointed to the Board, he or she will generally serve a four-year term that overlaps the tenure of the other members. This overlap, or staggered nature of membership, provides continuity and consistency to the Board's policies and actions. If for some reason a member does not complete their entire term, a vacancy is created that will be filled by the Governor. All appointments are subject to confirmation by the State Senate and all are subject to possible reappointment at expiration.

Although the Board of Forestry is headquartered in Sacramento, it can determine such places and times to hold meetings as it chooses. Five members are a necessary quorum for transacting business. To adopt, repeal, change, or amend any Board rules and regulations, a majority vote of the authorized membership is necessary. All official Board meetings are open to the general public. Meetings operate under rules of order adopted by the Board.

As authorized by the Public Resources Code, the Board has appointed an executive officer to assist in its duties, administer the staff functions surrounding the Board's business, and to act as a liaison to the Attorney General and Legislature. A forester appointed by the Board assists the Executive Officer and is in charge of the Forester Licensing Program of the Board.

For the purpose of focusing on particular issues, the Board has been broken down into three committees. The committees are: Management, Forest Practices, and Resource Protection. The number and type of committees may be adjusted by the Board to meet current needs.

To assist the Board in specific matters, advisory committees are sometimes appointed. Examples are the Effectiveness Monitoring Group and the Monitoring Study Group. Members are appointed by the Chairman of the Board and are drawn from specializations applicable to the Committee's concerns.

Various laws also establish committees to advise the Board in particular areas. Examples are the Professional Foresters Licensing Committee, which advises the Board on implementation of the Professional Foresters Licensing Law, and the Range Management Advisory Committee.