It has been one year since the CZU Lightning Complex tore a burn scar through Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited the burn area on Tuesday to highlight his environmental plans. The charred and blackened redwoods lining the roads served as grim reminders of the terrible toll of California wildfires that have been made even more destructive by climate change.
"You don't believe in science? You have to believe your own eyes," Newsom said Tuesday. "Walk around this quote-unquote asbestos forest."
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, an appointee of President Joe Biden, joined Newsom on the visit.
Of course, the governor's relationship with the past administration was anything but smooth. While former President Donald Trump was in office, California filed hundreds of lawsuits against the federal government over environmental issues.
But Newsom said the change in agency management since Biden defeated Trump in last year's presidential election has been a breath of fresh air.
"This administrator has been there for Californians every step of the way," Newsom said of Regan. "And they're just getting wound up."
The pair pledged that California and the federal government would work together to tackle issues like fire suppression, water conservation and fuel standards.
Regan pointed out that the forthcoming infrastructure package, passed in the Senate and awaiting approval in the House of Representatives, could also come in handy.
"We've just got a honey pot of opportunities for water infrastructure," Regan said, noting there was "no shortage" of chances to collaborate with the state. "That is focused not on putting Humpty Dumpty back together the same way, but doing it in a way that's really smart and climate-resilient."
Related
