1. (a) Applications that meet the requirements of this Chapter shall be reviewed by a review committee of experts on ecology, forest resilience, climate change, tribal traditional ecological knowledge or other relevant qualifications based on the nature of the funding available and the Department's priorities.

   1. (1) All review committee members are subject to applicable laws on conflicts of interest.

2. (b) Each proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

   1. (1) Alignment with and response to the program declarations listed in Section 1 of Proposition 4, including advancing funding to Vulnerable Populations, Disadvantaged Communities, or Severely Disadvantaged Communities, and advancement of Environmental Justice principles.

   2. (2) Alignment with program priorities which shall include the following:

      1. (A) Ability to improve forest health and resilience by directly or indirectly increasing fuels management, fire reintroductions, and reforestation of forests degraded by overcrowding, drought, pest infestation, and catastrophic fire; or
      2. (B) Ability to directly or indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one or more of the following: 1) treatments activities, 2) avoided future wildfire and fossil fuel use, or 3) reforestation or growth and yield of remaining vegetation.
   3. (3) Demonstration of public benefits anticipated to be derived from the project, including direct and meaningful community benefits, workforce development and training, or the inclusion of community partnerships, where applicable, including tribally-led projects or partnerships.
   4. (4) Demonstration of readiness and capacity to complete the proposed project.
   5. (5) Demonstration of the effectiveness of the project's methodology to accomplish the proposed project goals.
   6. (6) Inclusion of services by the California Conservation Corps or certified community conservation corps, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 14507.5, where determined feasible by the applicant.
   7. (7) Inclusion of innovative and/or effective methodology supported by science.
   8. (8) Relative need of the project, based on geographic or environmental vulnerability factors, as described in the request for proposals pursuant to section 1546.4.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4799.02, 91500 and 91520, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4799.05, 90050, 90100, 90110, 90130, 90133, 90135, 90140, 90150, 90610, 91500 and 91520, Public Resources Code.

History

1. New section filed 2-9-2026 as an emergency; operative 2-9-2026 (Register 2026, No. 7). This action is a deemed emergency and shall remain in effect until repealed or revised by the council pursuant to Public Resources Code section 90135(e).