Legislature OKs Bill to Study Ways to Fight Dieback

A bill requiring the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to study ways of combating dieback, a mysterious blight that kills wild brush on Southern California mountain slopes, has passed the Legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

Forestry officials just wish that the Legislature had provided money for the study.

The dieback, which began six years ago, has steadily worsened, killing up to 90% of the brush in some areas of Los Angeles County and creating a nightmare for firefighters, fire officials said.

The bill by Sen. William Campbell (R-Hacienda Heights) calls for a final report from state forestry officials by June, 1993, and annual progress reports until then. It directs the forestry department to cooperate with the U. S. Forest Service and other fire agencies in research throughout Southern California.

Gov. George Deukmejian, who has until Sept. 12 to sign the bill, has taken no position on it yet, a spokesman said.

Although the bill would initially have provided $100,000 a year for the study, Campbell agreed to drop the funding after objections were raised in the Senate about the cost, said his spokeswoman, Rena Lourdis.

Forestry officials say that if the governor approves the bill, their department will have to shift money from existing programs or ask lawmakers to increase their budget.

“We support the bill in principle, but we object to the lack of appropriation to carry out the policy,” said Carol Williams Bryant, the department’s legislative program manager. “We agree there is a problem, but we don’t fully understand the phenomenon. There is no scientific information currently available to us. We would be getting into a long-term research program.”

Experts believe that the dieback is caused by a combination of factors, including a root fungus and a weather pattern that has included heavy rains followed by years of drought.

While generally found in mountain lilac, dieback has also been found in California holly, manzanita, sumac and oak trees.

“It’s created an explosive problem,” said Philip J. Riggan, a scientist with the U. S. Forest Service who has studied the blight. “We have areas that were hard to burn in the past, except under extreme wind, and now they burn readily under routine conditions.” Fires with the dieback are likely to be more common, more extensive and more destructive.”