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Agricultural Department, on behalf of the Agricultural Commission, requesting that the Chairman of said Commission be authorized to sign a letter in support of Assembly Bill 1066, legislation that would increase the effective period of a timber harvest plan from 3 years to 5 years.
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Background:
With the announcement by Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) to close the Camino Mill, the El Dorado County Agricultural Commission requested more information. On May 13, 2009, Mark Luster, SPI Community Relations Manager, gave an in depth presentation regarding the circumstances involved in the decision to close the mill.
After considerable discussion, the Agricultural Commission made the following motion in support of Assembly Bill 1066; legislation that would increase the effective period of a timber harvest plan from 3 years to 5 years.
It was moved by Mr. Walker and seconded by Mr. Draper to direct staff to draft a letter of support for Assembly Bill 1066, to be signed by the Ag Commission chair, which will then be submitted to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors for their approval before it is submitted to the Legislature and Governor. In addition, the Commission nominated Commission Member, Bill Draper, Registered Professional Forester, to serve as a representative on the Red Team regarding the Camino Mill closure. Motion passed.
To fulfill the Commission's motion, a draft letter of support for Assembly Bill 1066 was crafted. The department requests permission to submit a signed copy of the support letter to the most appropriate committee. At the time this letter was drafted, Assembly Bill 1066 was pending in the Assembly Appropriations chaired by Assembly Member Kevin de Leon. However, on May 26 Assembly Bill 1066 passed out of the Assembly Appropriations committee. The bill will likely be heard soon on the Assembly Floor, and if successful, referred to various Senate committees.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Authorize t...
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