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Officials say draft forest management plan is a stewardship framework, not a logging plan; CEQA review pending after scientists' letter
Summary
City staff and commissioners clarified that the draft Carmel Forest Management Plan is a non-regulatory, policy-level guidance document intended to protect and sustain forest resources; staff will complete a CEQA review (by consultant Due Deck/DUTEK) and consider clarifying language after a letter from outside scientists raised concerns that the draft could be read as a logging prescription.
City staff and residents debated the goals and wording of the draft Forest Management Plan during the March 12 Forest and Beach Commission meeting, with the director and the city forester telling commissioners the document is a policy and stewardship framework rather than a prescription that authorizes commercial logging.
"The draft forest management plan is not a logging plan," the director said, stressing the document "does not authorize commercial logging or large-scale tree removal" and that existing permit processes and the city's tree ordinance continue to apply for any specific removals. The director also described the plan as a living document prepared through a multi-year,…
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