To: Board of Supervisors
From: Sheriff
Agenda Section: Consent
Vote Requirement: Majority
SUBJECT:
title
Agricultural Access Pass Program
end
RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Authorize the Humboldt County Sheriff to establish an agricultural access pass program for the purpose of issuing identification documents granting any qualifying agricultural producer access to the qualifying producer's property during local emergencies.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
General Fund (1100), Office of Emergency Services (OES) (221800)
DISCUSSION:
Assembly Bill 1103 (AB 1103) authorizes, upon approval of a county board of supervisors, the establishment of a livestock pass program for the purpose of issuing identification documents granting any qualified livestock producer or managerial employee of the qualifying livestock producer, access to the qualifying livestock producer's ranch property during or following a flood, storm, fire, earthquake, or other disaster. A program such as this has existed in Humboldt County since 2021, however, AB 1103 imposes a new duty on a county board of supervisors to approve the livestock pass program. In Humboldt County, this program allows for qualifying agricultural producers, livestock operators and commercial cannabis cultivators to access their property to tend to crops and animals when access is deemed safe and granted by emergency response personnel.
In order to qualify for an agricultural access pass, applicants must first complete a training that at a minimum provides education regarding basic fire behavior, communications during a disaster emergency, and incident command structure. Additionally, applicants must provide the county agency administering the program with documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant is a bona fide agricultural producer, including, but not limited to any of the following:
Traditional Agriculture and Livestock applicants:
A. An operator ...
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