Beaver bill makes dam good progress in California Assembly

The California Assembly unanimously approved Assembly Bill (AB) 2196, introduced by Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael). This legislation secures the future of the state’s beaver restoration program, which revitalizes ecosystems and addresses climate challenges.

Initiated under the FY2022-23 Budget Act, the beaver restoration program focuses on the crucial role beavers play in maintaining healthy watersheds and ecosystems. These industrious creatures are keystone species that contribute to restoring areas most affected by environmental degradation.

Unanimous support for beavers? That almost never happens. It passed by something like 72-0. Seems to me if they are so powerful in their persuasion they should have tried this earlier.

“Beavers are an instrumental keystone species to our ecosystems,” says Assemblymember Connolly. “They play a vital role in maintaining and engineering habitats that have widespread environmental and climate benefits. AB 2196 codifies the beaver restoration program in statute and ensures 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.”

I’m glad its moving forward but I seem to remember there was a passage in the Talmud that said a unanimous decision was invalid because “There was no one to argue the other side”.

I guess no one wants to be on the wrong side of beavers.

Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, executive director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin, emphasizes the broader impact: “Beavers have long been recognized as fundamental to creating and preserving healthy habitat. 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. We are excited to see beaver reintroduction moving forward in California, and we thank Assemblymember Connolly for his leadership on this important issue.”

What’s next for AB 2196?

The next step for AB 2196 is to be reviewed by the California State Senate. It is scheduled for a policy committee hearing in June. If it passes the Senate, it will then proceed to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature to become law.

It’s on its way. Obviously the hard part was getting it passed in the first place. Lets see what comes next.