Title
Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.07 determining the feasibility of an agricultural and livestock pass for the County of Monterey.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2022.07 and:
1) Direct that staff proceed with completion of referral based on description in this report; or,
2) Direct that staff:
i. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board; or
ii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or,
iii. Rescind referral.
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
SUMMARY/PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Referral Summary & Background:
Board Referral No. 2022.07 (Lopez- see Exhibit A) requests the Agricultural Commissioner's Office research options and feasibility for the creation of an agricultural and livestock pass program ("AG Pass") in order to provide a uniform way to identify vetted commercial farm and ranch owner-operators and their employees to firefighting personnel, California Highway Patrol officers, Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers, and other emergency personnel. Possession of an Ag Pass during a wildfire or similar disaster or emergency allows the livestock producers limited emergency access to areas that may otherwise be restricted to the public in order to protect or care for livestock assets and provide support information to first responders, such as but not limited to, identifying access roads and water points.
The purpose of creating a county-based "Ag Pass" program is to provide a uniform way to identify vetted commercial cattle farm and ranch owner-operators and their employees to firefighting personnel, California Highway Patrol officers, Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers, and other emergency personnel. Possession of an Ag Pass during a wildfire or a sim...
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