To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Michelle Bushnell and Planning & Building Director John Ford
Agenda Section: Initiated by Board Member
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
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Update on the Status of County Jurisdiction to Enforce the Q-Zone in Lower Redway and Provide Direction to Enhance County Ability to Minimize Loss of Trees in the Future (LRP 2026-19528)
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Accept the update on the county jurisdiction to enforce the Q-Zone in lower Redway; and
2. Direct staff to work with CalFire and look at other counties to determine if there is a path forward that would allow increased protection for the redwood grove in lower Redway.
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STRATEGIC PLAN:
This action supports the following areas of your Board's Strategic Plan.
Area of Focus: Sustainable Natural Resources & Infrastructure Stewardship
Strategic Plan Category: 1008 - Update General Plan ordinances for quality of environment
DISCUSSION:
This report is to provide the Board of Supervisors with an understanding surrounding the redwood tree removal in the lower Redway q-zone and to offer an approach that may better protect those trees.
In December 2025, CalFire issued a notice of exemption for removal of trees within 150 feet of a structure and utilities that were deemed hazardous. A q-zone was adopted for the area in which the subject's property lies that would require a special permit for removal of any redwood tree greater than twelve inches in diameter.
In 2022, some redwood trees were removed adjacent to a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) substation on Harris Street in Eureka. As the county attempted to enforce the unpermitted removal of trees, a meeting was scheduled with the Forest Review Committee and CalFire. It was pointed out that the county did not have jurisdiction that supersedes a CalFire issued permit or exemption. This is based on the following provision from the Forest Practices Act:
Fro...
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