Title
Agriculture Department, pursuant to Board of Supervisors Policy A-3, recommending the Board conceptually approve and authorize the Department to prepare an Ordinance that:
1) Creates a Livestock Pass Program that meets the requirements of AB 1103; and
2) Create a parallel Ag Pass program for the Agricultural Crops in the County.
FUNDING: General Fund and Unclaimed Gas Tax.
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
As El Dorado County experienced with the Caldor Fire, wildfires have particular challenges to agricultural operations, due to the closure of affected areas.
On October 7, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1103, Agricultural lands: livestock producers: managerial employees: livestock pass program: disaster access to ranch lands. The bill authorizes the County to establish, upon the approval of the Board of Supervisors, a livestock pass program for the purpose of issuing identification documents granting any qualifying livestock producer access to the their ranch property, or to the ranch property owned by another holder of a livestock pass with permission, during or following a flood, storm, fire, earthquake, or other disaster. The bill also requires, on or before January 1, 2023, the State Fire Marshal, with the involvement of the Statewide Training and Education Advisory Committee, to develop a curriculum for livestock producers eligible for this livestock pass program.
The Caldor Fire created a situation where commercial livestock and agricultural crop producers needed access to their farms that were in the fire evacuation zone. The access was needed to provide water for livestock and crops, harvest, and feed animals. An Ag Pass Program was quickly developed with the collaboration of the Sheriff’s Department, Office of Emergency Services, Cal Fire and the Agriculture Department. This item will allow a formalized process to be created that can be followed during an emergency.
The Agriculture Department would like to return to the Board with a draft ordinance for an El Dorado County Livestock Pass Program and a parallel Ag Pass program for Agricultural Crops.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Sheriff, Environmental Management, Health and Human Services
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The requested Board action has no General Fund impact or increase to the Net County Cost. The Department will work with the Sheriff's, Environmental Management, and Health and Human Services offices to establish criteria for the ordinance and return to the Board of Supervisors.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Charlene Carveth (530) 621-5520