Assembly Bill 2196 to codify the state’s new Beaver Restoration Program heads to Senate
Amazing news! Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) is authoring a “beaver bill,” Assembly Bill 2196, with OAEC as the sponsor. The bill passed the California State Assembly on May 21 with a unanimous vote of 72-0 and passed the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee on June 11 with a similarly unanimous vote. The bill codifies the new Beaver Restoration Program at the California Department of Fish & Wildlife. The program, created by an act of the state budget in 2022, works with tribes, NGOs, private landowners, and others to implement coexistence and other beaver-assisted restoration projects to promote habitat restoration and climate change resiliency. Program staff are developing a first-ever Beaver Management Plan for the state of California (one of three in the nation).
“California is bringing beaver back, and we’re thrilled that Assemblymember Connolly has the strong support of his colleagues to codify the program created by Governor Newsom’s administration in 2022,” said Kate Lundquist, Co-Director of the WATER Institute at the Occidental Arts & Ecology Center. “The collaborative momentum between state officials, tribal leaders, nonprofits, and local governments is inspiring and poised to continue.”
The Beaver Restoration Program works with tribes, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, and other agencies to implement beaver-assisted restoration projects that support ecosystem conservation, habitat restoration, and species conservation and improve climate change, drought, and wildfire resilience throughout California.
“Beavers are an instrumental keystone species to our ecosystems, and they play a vital role in maintaining and engineering habitats that have widespread environmental and climate benefits,” said Assemblymember Damon Connolly. “AB 2196 will codify the Beaver Restoration Program in statute and ensure this important species continues to play a role in meeting our climate goals. I’m proud that this bill is supported by nearly fifty environmental protection, conservation, wildlife advocacy, sustainable agriculture, and other science-based organizations.”
AB 2196 establishes important findings that document beaver history and native status in the state and strong evidence of the benefits to the environment and habitats associated with restoring the keystone species.
Comments from other supporters:
“AB 2196 represents an important step forward for freshwater and fisheries restoration practices in California,” said Redgie Collins, Legal and Policy Director, CalTrout. “Our native salmon and trout are adapted to coexist with beaver which slow, spread and cool water. Beaver are a nature-based solution that benefit fish, water supplies, and people.”
“As an organization that was founded to protect our water resources and communities that depend on them, Clean Water supports AB 2196,” said Andria Ventura, Legislative and Policy Director for Clean Water Action & Clean Water Fund. “Beaver in their natural habitat bring multiple environmental benefits, including restoration of essential wetlands and subsequent improvements to water quality and storage so necessary in this time of drought and climate change. Restoring beaver in California in a commonsense manner protects not only this keystone species but landowners as well. This bill goes way beyond just preserving wildlife. It has very human implications as well.”
“Beavers have long been recognized as fundamental to creating and preserving healthy habitat,” said Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director, Environmental Action Committee of West Marin. “AB 2196 opens the door for the science-based management of this species. This is consistent with our state’s 30×30 goals, helps contribute to wildfire mitigation strategies, and preserves water-rich ecosystems for the benefit of wildlife and humans alike. The Environmental Action Committee of West Marin supports the bill including supporting partnerships with California Native American tribes and nonprofit organizations. We are excited to see beaver reintroduction moving forward in California, and we thank Assemblymember Connolly for his leadership on this important issue.”
