Section 18944.30 Of Article 1. General Provisions And Definitions From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 13. >> Part 2.5. >> Chapter 4.5. >> Article 1.
18944.30
. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) There is an urgent need for low-cost, energy-efficient housing
in California.
(b) The cost of conventional lumber-framed housing has risen due
to a shortage of construction-grade lumber.
(c) Straw is an annually renewable source of cellulose that can be
used as an energy-efficient substitute for stud-framed wall
construction.
(d) The state has mandated that the burning of rice straw be
greatly reduced.
(e) As a result of the mandated burning reduction, growers are
experimenting with alternative straw management practices. Various
methods of straw incorporation into the soil are the most widely used
alternatives. The two most common methods are nonflood incorporation
and winter flood incorporation. Economically viable off-farm uses
for rice straw are not yet available.
(f) Winter flooding of rice fields encourages the natural
decomposition of rice straw and provides valuable waterfowl habitat.
According to the Central Valley Habitat Joint Venture component of
the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, in California's Central
Valley, over 400,000 acres of enhanced agricultural lands are needed
to restore the depleted migratory waterfowl populations of the
Pacific flyway. Flooded rice fields are a key and integral part of
the successful restoration of historic waterfowl and shorebird
populations.
(g) Winter flooding of rice fields provides significant waterfowl
habitat benefits and should be especially encouraged in areas where
there is minimal potential to impact salmon as a result of surface
water diversions.
(h) An economically viable market for rice straw bales could
result from the use of rice straw bales in housing construction.
(i) Practicing architects and engineers have determined that the
statutory guidelines established by Chapter 941 of the Statutes of
1995 contain specific requirements that they believe are either
unnecessary or detrimental. Some of the requirements are considered
costly and severely restrict the development of straw-bale housing.
(j) Statutory guidelines for the use of straw-bale housing would
significantly benefit energy conservation, natural resources,
low-cost housing, agriculture, and fisheries in California.
(k) Tests and experience with straw-bale construction demonstrate
that it is a strong, durable, and thermally superior building system
that deserves a larger role in modern construction.