TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Cannabis
MEETING DATE: May 22, 2023
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Steve Dunnicliff
PHONE:
707-463-4441
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 30 Minutes
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Approval of Agreement with Ascent Environmental, Inc., for up to $5,000,000 in Environmental Planning Services from the Effective Date of the Agreement through December 31, 2024
(Sponsor: Cannabis)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Approve agreement with Ascent Environmental, Inc., for up to $5,000,000 in environmental planning services from the effective date of the agreement through December 31, 2024; and authorize Chair to sign same.
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PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
At the March 14, 2023, Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board directed County Counsel to draft an ordinance that would streamline the cannabis permitting process while maintaining all existing environmental protection measures. At the same time, the Board directed the Executive Office and County Counsel to work with the Department of Cannabis Control ("DCC") to develop a pathway for applicants to obtain an annual state license.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
After meeting with DCC, the state has agreed to perform site-specific environmental review as part of its licensing process, removing an administrative burden that has historically been borne by the County. DCC plans to utilize a programmatic environmental impact report ("EIR") to study state licensing of cannabis cultivation in Mendocino County. This EIR can then be used as the basis to generate site specific environmental documents for individual license applications and provide a pathway to annual licensure.
To facilitate this plan, DCC requested that the County use existing grant funding to develop the requisite environmental documents within the states current deadline. This would help ensure the development of adequate environmental review while...
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