Pub. Resources Code, § 4597.7

The working forest landowner may submit a proposed amendment to the approved plan and shall not take any action that substantially deviates, as defined by the board, from the approved plan until the amendment has been filed with the director and the director has determined, after completion of the interagency review and public comment period, either of the following:

(a) The amendment is in compliance with the current rules and regulations of the board and the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The amendment is in compliance with the rules and regulations of the board and the provisions of this chapter that were in effect at the time the working forest management plan was approved. The director may only make this determination if the registered professional forester explains, justifies, and certifies both of the following:

(1) The adherence to new or modified rules and regulations of the board would cause unreasonable additional expense to the working forest landowner.

(2) Compliance with the rules and regulations of the board and the provisions of this chapter that were in effect at the time the working forest management plan was approved will not result in any significant degradation to the beneficial uses of water, soil stability, forest productivity, or wildlife.

(c) Review timelines for substantial deviations of working forest management plans shall conform to the direction provided in Section 4582.7, except for amendments that add acreage covered by the original working forest management plan that exceeds 10 percent or 500 acres, whichever is greater. Amendments that add acreage in excess of 10 percent or 500 acres shall be reviewed pursuant to the procedures specified in Section 4597.6.