Title
Receive a status update report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.07 for the creation of an agricultural and livestock pass for the County of Monterey.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive an updated response to Board Referral No. 2022.07 which directs the Agricultural Commissioner's Office to create an agricultural and livestock pass for the County of Monterey to provide a uniform way to identify vetted commercial agricultural operators to emergency personnel and/or law enforcement officers and allow limited emergency access to respective agricultural properties during a wildfire or similar disaster or emergency; and
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Background:
Board Referral No. 2022-07, for the creation of an agricultural and livestock pass in Monterey County was assigned to the Agricultural Commissioner in April 2022. See Attachment 1 for Board Referral (Lopez). On May 3, 2022, staff provided a preliminary analysis report to the Board on the feasibility of an agricultural and livestock pass. See Attachment 2 for preliminary analysis report for May 3, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting. At the conclusion of the May presentation, the Board directed staff to proceed with the creation of the Ag Pass Program and include vineyard operations to the eligible list of participants. See Attachment 3 for Board Order of the May 3, 2022 Board meeting.
An agricultural and livestock pass program or Ag Pass provides a uniform way to identify vetted commercial agricultural operations and their operators to firefighting personnel, California Highway Patrol officers, Sheriff deputies, other law enforcement officers and other emergency personnel. Possession of an Ag Pass during a wildfire or similar disaster and/or emergency allows the agriculturalist limited emergency access to areas that may otherwise be restricted to protect or care for agricultural assets, such as to protect or ...
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