To: Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Brown
Meeting Date: May 21, 2019
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Department Contact: |
Barbara Moed |
Phone: |
463-4354 |
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Item Type: Regular Agenda |
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Time Allocated for Item: 15 min |
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Direction Given to the Air Pollution Control Officer to Work with Fire Agencies and Community Partners to Identify Barriers to Fire Fuel (Vegetation) Management and Develop a Plan to Streamline AQMD Processes that Support Vegetation Management, Including Investigation of the Feasibility of Implementing a Unified Application and Payment Model for Burn Permitting
(Sponsor: Supervisor Brown)
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Confirm direction given to the Air Pollution Control Officer; and provide clarification as may be necessary regarding the intended scope and leadership role of the AQMD in working with partners to streamline processes related to vegetation management through broadcast and pile burning.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
On May 14, 2019, the Air Pollution Control Officer was directed to work with fire agencies and community partners to identify barriers to fire fuel (vegetation) management and develop a plan to streamline AQMD processes that support vegetation management efforts, including investigation of the feasibility of implementing a unified application and payment model for burn permitting. In addition to this formal direction, Supervisors expressed interest in the following:
1. AQMD staff pursuing the establishment of two areas in the County (inland and coastal) for determination of permissive burn days.
2. Clarity on the location of data collection stations used by the State for burn day determination.
3. AQMD process/threshold for determining a smoke-related public nuisance.
4. Clarification on the role of Legal Counsel for the AQMD
Summary of Request:
The effects of devastating and historic wildfires in recent years have had significant impact on Mendocino County. In addition to the loss of hundreds of homes, thousands of acres have been burned and air quality has been extremely poor for weeks at a time. New state legislation has been passed that establish a clear expectation and new funding for CAL FIRE to significantly increase efforts to manage vegetation, including prescribed burning as a way to reduce the impact of uncontrolled burning. Additionally, property owners are being encouraged to more actively manage vegetation which in many instances will result in the burning of brush piles. The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) is directly involved in related processes. As such, the Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Board of Directors for the AQMD, has a unique opportunity to direct staff to work with community partners and determine if there are ways that the AQMD can streamline processes or more effectively support vegetation management efforts to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfire along with the significant negative impacts to air quality.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide direction to staff
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: mendoair.org
Fiscal Details:
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source of funding: N/A |
budgeted in current f/y: N/A |
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current f/y cost: N/A |
if no, please describe: |
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annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: N/A |
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budget clarification:
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: N/A
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CEO Liaison: Executive Office |
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CEO Review: Choose an item. |
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CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
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Executed By: Lindsey Dunham, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Direction Given to Staff |
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Date: May 22, 2019 |
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