Title
a. Receive staff response to Board Referral #2012-10 regarding input from the agriculture community on the regulations for permitting of Ag wells; and
b. Refer the draft Well Ordinance and Administrative Guidelines back to the Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC), which can utilize the existing AAC subcommittee to make recommendations. (Board Referral #2012.10)
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive staff response to Board Referral #2012-10 regarding input from the agriculture community on the regulations for permitting of Ag wells; and
b. Refer the draft Well Ordinance and Administrative Guidelines back to the Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC), which can utilize the existing AAC subcommittee to make recommendations.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Monterey County has received letters from the Farm Bureau, Pisoni Farms and Costa Family Farms expressing concern that the agricultural (“Ag”) community has not been included in development of the draft well ordinance (Exhibit A). At their August 2012 meeting, the Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC) requested that the ordinance be placed on hold (Exhibit B). On September 25, 2012, staff received a Board referral to solicit input from the Ag community on the regulations for permitting of Ag wells and incorporate recommendations into the implementation of the 2010 General Plan (Exhibit C).
The referral suggests that the Board of Supervisors appoint a five-member ad hoc Ag Wells Advisory Committee. If this is the Board’s desire, then staff seeks direction for appointment of those members. One option would be for each Board member to nominate a representative to be approved by a majority of the Board. Another option would be for the Board to select five members at-large that represent various agricultural interests.
To date, staff has utilized the Board appointed Agriculture Advisory Committee (AAC) because it represents the broad spectrum of agricultural interests. ...
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