Title
Community Development Services, Planning and Building Department, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter to the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection appointing Roger Trout, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as El Dorado County's authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Services, Planning and Building Department, recommending the Board appoint Roger Trout, Director of the Planning and Building Department, as the County's authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions for the State of California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (the State Board).
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The State Board has requested that all County Boards of Supervisors appoint authorized designees to review Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions, as stated in a letter dated August 23, 2017 (Attachment A).
Traditionally, Timberland Conversion Permits and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions have been reviewed by the Planning Department for compliance with local regulations. Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) will prepare the applications with the local authorities providing acknowledgement that the timber operation is compliant with local regulations. Although this has not been a formalized process in the past, the State Board is now requesting each County formally appoint an authorized designee in order to improve the communication between the RPFs, local jurisdictions, and the State Board.
The State Board is encouraging local agencies to appoint an authorized designee for the purpose of helping to reduce potential environmental impacts from cannabis cultivation. This designee appointment will ensure that local regulations on cannabis cultivation are recognized by the State Board.
ALTERNATIVES
1) Appoint another County representative as El Dorado County's authorized designee to review Timberland Conversion Permits (or equivalent) and Less Than 3 Acre Conversion Exemptions.
2) Decline appointing a County representative, which will relinquish the County's opportunity to determine if a proposed timberland conversion is in conformance with all County regulatory requirements.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
CAL FIRE
State Board
CAO RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
N/A
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board to obtain the Chair's signature on the original letter to the State Board, appointing Roger Trout as the County's authorized designee.
2) The Clerk of the Board to provide a copy of the signed letter to the Planning and Building Department, attention of Char Tim, Planning Commission Clerk. .
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Roger Trout, Director
Community Development Services, Planning and Building Department