Timberland Definitions and Background Information

What is "timberland"?

"Timberland" is land that is capable of and available for growing commercial timber species used for lumber such as Redwood and Douglas fir as identified by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

What is a "timberland conversion"?

A "timberland conversion" refers to the process whereby timberland is converted to an alternate use which will prevent or make infeasible the growing and harvesting of timber for commercial purposes.

Background:

In response to a growing concern over the loss of timberlands by conversion to other uses, the Board of Supervisors directed that timberland conversions be studied as part of the 2020 General Plan Update(GP2020). The GP2020 Citizen’s Advisory Committee considered the timberland conversion issue in 2002 and 2003.

PRMD prepared a series of reports which analyzed the timber conversion issue and presented a range of policy options to restrict and regulate timberland conversions. The Board of Supervisors subsequently directed the that proposed regulations be prepared for consideration ahead of GP2020. Ordinance No. 5651 was adopted on March 14, 2006 establishing regulations for timberland conversions.