Fort Bragg City Council Expresses Support and Skepticism About State Forest Modernization Bill

Article by Elise Cox. First posted on MendoLocal and used with their kind permission. Go right now and follow them on Facebook for more excellent reporting.

Town Hall in Fort Bragg was packed with supporters and opponents of AB 2494 on Monday, April 13, 2026 (MendoLocal.News CC BY 4.0)

The Fort Bragg City Council narrowly rejected a proposal Monday night to formally support Assembly Bill 2494, a measure designed to modernize management practices within the state’s demonstration forest system.

In a 3–2 vote, the council declined to send a letter of support to the legislature for the bill, which has sparked intense local debate over the future of the 49,000-acre Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Councilmembers Tess Albin-Smith, Scott Hockett, and Vice Mayor Marcia Rafanan voted against the motion, while Mayor Jason Godeke and Councilmember Lindy Peters were in favor.

The Case for Modernization

Councilmember Lindy Peters, who brought the item forward at the request of supporters of the bill, argued that the legislation is necessary to shift the forest’s focus toward what he called the “three Rs”: restoration, research, and recreation. Peters emphasized that the current management framework was established decades ago and fails to address modern challenges such as carbon sequestration and the inclusion of Native American tribes, who were historically left out of forest planning.

“Let’s bring us into the modern age of managing and sustaining our forests,” Peters said, noting the bill would prioritize ecological health over maximum timber yield.

The Case Against NIMBYism

Councilmember Tess Albin-Smith led the opposition, characterizing the bill as “naive, ill-conceived, redundant, [and] damaging.” Contrasting her position on the bill with what she described as her history of staunch support for environmental issues, Albin-Smith argued that the bill’s primary objectives—including tribal co-management and increased environmental sensitivity—are already being addressed in the recently revised Jackson Demonstration State Forest Management Plan.

Albin-Smith noted that timber is a renewable resource that, when used for construction, is more environmentally friendly than other building materials. She also pointed out that wood continues to sequester carbon when used in construction, and she criticized people who advocate for the use of wood but oppose timber harvesting in California’s 14 demonstration state forests.

“This is a case, in my opinion, of ‘not in my backyard,’” Albin-Smith said. “I want wood. I want to build a house, but I don’t want those trees to come from my backyard.”

She expressed concern that the bill could lead to a loss of timber tax revenue for the county and feared that, if the state determines the forest is no longer intended for timber production, it might eventually be sold. “Don’t mess with a good thing,” she warned.

A Moving Target

A significant point of contention during public comment was the fact that the bill is undergoing constant revision. Opponents, such as resident Jenny Shattuck, pointed out that the bill has been heavily redlined and is no longer what many supporters believe it to be.

“Why would you support something that you don’t know what you’re supporting yet?” Shattuck asked, suggesting the council wait until the final language is settled.

Shattuck also noted that consultation with local interests is not required by the bill. “Does this mean we are going to lose the Jackson Demonstration State Forest Advisory Group?” she asked, referring to a 13-member citizens advisory body that currently works directly with the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection on forest management policy and implementation.

The current version of the bill states that state policy will seek integration of local Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge in forest management but does not recognize any other sources of local input.

Economic and Safety Concerns

The council heard from several residents who feared the bill would devastate multigenerational logging families. Opponents argued that the timber industry remains a “backbone” of the community and that current management has successfully prevented catastrophic wildfires for decades through byproduct fire reduction.

Conversely, supporters of the bill, citing an alliance with the Intertribal Sinkyone Wilderness Council, argued that a “restorative economy” would create more jobs in forestry and tourism while protecting the oldest standing redwoods.

Response from Sacramento

Assemblymember Chris Rogers, the bill’s sponsor, joined the meeting via Zoom to address the council. He clarified that AB 2494 does not ban timber harvesting but instead creates a “new lens” through which to view forest management.

Rogers noted that the state has not updated its forest management laws in 50 years and argued that the bill is a necessary response to community concerns and the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors’ request for updated legislative platforms. He also said the bill opens up opportunities for additional funding for restorative work.

Despite Rogers’ plea and the support of Mayor Godeke, the majority of the council remained unconvinced that a formal city endorsement was appropriate at this time.

Read MendoLocal’s coverage of AB 2494:

A Different Kind of Harvest: Can California’s Forests Grow Jobs Too? (March 24, 2026)