Forest and Public Lands Stewardship

California’s rural counties are home to many of the state’s diverse natural resources and many also have large forested or wildland areas under state and federal ownership.

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RCRC member counties cover more than 60 percent of California’s total land mass, amounting to over 155,000 square miles. Our member counties extend from the Oregon border in the north, to the Mexico border in the southeast, and from the Central Coast to the Eastern Sierra. Many of the state’s diverse natural resources including forested lands, desert flora, watersheds, lakes and rivers, fish and wildlife, and minerals are within the boundaries of California’s rural counties.

RCRC member counties are the local government that have land use and public trust responsibilities over this rich landscape that provides much of California’s drinking water and recreational opportunities all while maintaining a diverse biological ecosystem. In addition, California’s reputation as the Nation’s breadbasket is largely found in the rural counties of the state.

Many of California’s rural counties also have large forested or wildland areas under state and federal ownership. These publicly owned lands include state parks, national parks, and national forests, all of which are an important element of the rural economy. A strong working relationship for the care and stewardship of these lands between counties and public land managers is crucial if the balance between economic health, public safety, and forest sustainability is to be achieved and passed on to future generations of Californians.

Latest News

Advocacy Letters

FOREST & PUBLIC LANDS STEWARDSHIP - 2025-2026 Legislative Session

AB 404

AB 429

AB 441

AB 706

AB 846

AB 900

AB 1456

SB 223

SB 375

H.R. 471 /S. 1462

H.R. 1105

H.R. 1383 / S. 356 - Secure Rural Schools

Other Issues

FOREST & PUBLIC LANDS STEWARDSHIP - 2023-2024 Legislative Session

AB 297


AB 338


AB 388


AB 2276


AB 2344


AB 2469


AB 3150


SB 39


SB 370


SB 504


SB 675


SB 945


SB 946


SB 1101

Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) map for the State Responsibility Areas (SRA)

2023-2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plans (Docket #2023-2025-WMPs)

Catastrophe Modeling and Ratemaking – Proposed Rulemaking

Other Issues

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