Forest Practice

CAL FIRE’s Butte unit contains approximately 200,000 acres of timberland located in the upper elevations of Butte County. Ownership patterns range from small landowners located in the Wildland Urban Intermix to industrial landowners with large contiguous parcels located in the State Responsibility Area. 

The Forest Practice Division is responsible for the enforcement and compliance of forest management activities for all private timberland owners within the Butte Unit. The unit's Forest Practice Division ensures all timber harvesting is conducted in a manner which protects the beneficial uses of water, wildlife, fisheries and soils. Unit Foresters are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the California Forest Practice Act to protect the environment during timber operations. Unit Foresters work with private landowners to ensure timber harvesting operations comply with the California Forest Practice Act. 

Compliance with the California Forest Practice Act is accomplished through the development of a Timber Harvest Plan (THP) which is a required environmental document for commercial timber harvesting. The THP evaluates any environmental concerns associated with harvesting operations and develops Best Management Practices to protect the beneficial uses of forest resources. The Butte Unit Forest Practice Division reviews and inspects Timber Harvest Plans to ensure harvesting operations meet the intent of the California Forest Practice Act. 

Environmentally sound Forest Management is an integral part of CAL FIRE’s mission to protect forest land within the State Responsibility Area. By enforcing the rules and regulations of the California Forest Practice Act the Butte Unit Forest Practice Division ensures the beneficial uses of our natural resources are protected.

To find out more about the CAL FIRE Timber Harvest Review process view the Timber Harvesting Plan (THP) website.