Bill Overview
Title: Save Our Sequoias Act
Description: This bill provides for the conservation of giant sequoia trees ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) in California, including by providing statutory authority for the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition; directing the coalition to submit a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment; declaring an emergency on certain public lands and allowing officials to carry out protection plans during the emergency to respond to the threat of wildfires, insects, and drought; directing the Department of the Interior to develop and implement a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy; and establishing a variety of programs and funds to support the conservation of giant sequoias.
Sponsors: Rep. McCarthy, Kevin [R-CA-23]
Target Audience
Population: people worldwide who care about biodiversity conservation and are affected by climate change
Estimated Size: 15000000
- The bill focuses on the conservation of giant sequoia trees, which are located exclusively in California, in the United States.
- The giant sequoias, Sequoiadendron giganteum, are a rare species of trees known for their size and longevity, which have ecological significance.
- Benefits include improved ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation in areas where these trees are native.
- The conservation effort impacts local communities that benefit from tourism associated with giant sequoias.
- Efforts to preserve these trees could combat climate change by maintaining carbon sinks, providing potential global benefits.
Reasoning
- The Save Our Sequoias Act aims primarily at those living near giant sequoias in California, though it is a matter of national interest as well. Our simulation will include people from different demographics – locals, environmentalists, and people not directly affected.
- Budget constraints require focusing on significant measures within the given financial limits, concentrating on forests with major sequoia groves, prioritizing areas most at risk from fire, pests, and drought.
- The number of people directly affected by issues like wildfires or local economic impacts might be moderate, but the national environmental value impacts many more individuals indirectly.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Analyst (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the Save Our Sequoias Act is a step in the right direction for conservation.
- Sequoias are such an iconic part of California's heritage, it's crucial we protect them.
- I'm concerned about the effects of climate change on these groves.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 3 |
Park Ranger (Fresno, California)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Protection of sequoias is urgent given the recent wildfires we've experienced.
- I support any policy that funds preservation efforts in our parks.
- The implementation needs to be quick and efficient to be effective.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Tech Industry Professional (San Francisco, California)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see a legislative focus on ecological issues.
- This policy is a good start, but we need more comprehensive efforts to combat climate change in general.
- The protection of iconic species has value beyond immediate economics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
State Government Employee (Sacramento, California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like these are vital for preserving our natural heritage.
- Effectively managing funds is crucial to maximize impact.
- I see potential for job creation in conservation sectors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Content Creator (New York, New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to cover this topic in my content. People should know about conservation efforts.
- The vitality of ecosystems like those where sequoias grow is important for planetary health.
- Funding and execution will define the success of this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired Firefighter (Bakersfield, California)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any measure to reduce wildfire risk is a great relief.
- I have seen the devastation first hand, and this could help save lives and habitats.
- Execution may not be easy, but it's worth the effort.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Marketing Specialist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great that such iconic places are being prioritized.
- I plan on visiting these parks, knowing they're being taken care of gives me peace of mind.
- Wish there were similar efforts nationwide, beyond just California.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Elementary School Teacher (San Diego, California)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides great educational opportunities for my students.
- Inspiring to see government investing in the environment.
- We must instill in young minds the importance of conservation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Engineer (Utah)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Conservation of such unique species is admirable.
- Policies like this should be a global standard.
- I'm curious about how Californians will perceive and support this locally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
College Student (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is crucial given increasing environmental threats worldwide.
- I hope future job opportunities manifest from these efforts.
- Protecting these giants aligns with sustainable future visions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $95000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $115000000)
Year 3: $90000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $110000000)
Year 5: $85000000 (Low: $60000000, High: $100000000)
Year 10: $80000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $80000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring effective coordination among multiple stakeholders in the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition is crucial for success.
- Scientific data and research are key to accurately assessing and enhancing the health and resilience of the sequoias.
- Managing and monitoring potential conflicts between conservation efforts and public land use is necessary.