Title
Community Development Agency, Environmental Management Division, recommending the Board provide conceptual review and authorization, as required by Board Policy A-3, for the Environmental Management Division to prepare an amendment to the County of El Dorado’s Ordinance Code Chapter 8.76 - Bear-Resistant Garbage Enclosures, for future Board consideration.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Chapter 8.76 of the County Ordinance Code requires amending to incorporate additional provisions for the protection of public health and safety and to address nuisances caused by wildlife. Pursuant to Board Policy A-3 amendments to county ordinance code must be presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for conceptual review and authorization. Environmental Management Division (EMD) will be working with the South Lake Tahoe Waste Management Authority, Joint Powers Authority (JPA), the Clean Tahoe Program, and the County’s franchise waste hauler, South Tahoe Refuse (STR), on the development of the ordinance amendment.
EMD recommends the Board provide conceptual approval and authorize EMD to amend Chapter 8.76 of the Ordinance Code, and return to the Board with the amended ordinance for Board consideration (first and final readings).
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The County Board of Supervisors first adopted the Bear-Resistant Garbage Enclosure Ordinance in 2002 to enhance public health and safety by eliminating conditions which attract bears and other wildlife to inhabited areas. It requires the installation of bear-resistant garbage can enclosures in cases where a bear access problem has been identified and also in conjunction with the construction of all new residential units that lie within the boundaries of the Silver Fork, Tahoe Truckee Unified, and Lake Tahoe Unified School Districts.
Over the past several years, human-wildlife conflict incidents have increased, thereby posing increased health and safety issues for the residents of and visitors to South Lake Tahoe, as well as increased danger for the health and wellbeing of bears and other wildlife. In addition, bear access to garbage containers results in garbage being scattered on roadways and properties, resulting in additional work for South Tahoe Refuse, Clean Tahoe, and property owners to clean up the debris scattered by bears and other wildlife.
The South Lake Tahoe JPA has recommended that all JPA member agencies (El Dorado County, the City of South Lake Tahoe, and Douglas County, NV) revise their respective bear enclosure ordinances to be consistent with each other, where appropriate, and include additional provisions protective of public health, safety and the environment. EMD will work with the JPA, Clean Tahoe Program and STR to revise Chapter 8.76 of the Ordinance Code and return to the Board with an amended ordinance for Board consideration.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel will be involved in the future crafting of the amended ordinance.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
CAO recommending moving staff's recommendation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Greg Stanton, REHS, Director
Community Development Agency
Environmental Management Division