Title
Agricultural Berm Repair Temporary Emergency Regulations
Consider confirmation of temporary emergency regulations that waive the requirement to obtain a grading permit pursuant to Title 18 of the Monterey County Code for the repair and restoration of berms that were damaged or destroyed as a result of flooding that occurred during the atmospheric river event of March 9 through March 14, 2023.
Location: Farmlands within the unincorporated areas of the County of Monterey
Proposed CEQA action: Find the temporary regulations exempt pursuant to California Code of Regulations, sections 15269 (emergency projects), 15302 (restoration and reconstruction), and 15304 (minor alternations of land).
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors confirm the adoption of temporary emergency regulations that waive the requirement to obtain a grading permit pursuant to Title 18: Buildings and Construction of the Monterey County Code for the repair and restoration of berms that were damaged or destroyed as a result of flooding that occurred during the atmospheric rivers of March 9 through March 14, 2023.
SUMMARY:
A series of atmospheric river weather events hit the County between January and March 2023. Rain and wind associated with the weather events caused widespread damage in the County, with the most recent storm leading to the proclamation of a local emergency on March 9, 2023, with ratification by the Board on March 14, 2023.
When an emergency has been declared, the County Administrative Officer (CAO), acting as the ex-officio Director of Emergency Services, has the authority to make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such emergency (Section 2.68.060(A) of the Monterey County Code). Such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest possible practicable time by the Board of Supervisors.
Many farms along the Salinas River flooded during the atmospheric w...
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