To: Board of Supervisors
From: Matt Slattengren, Ag Commissioner/Weights & Measures Director
Report Title: Contract with California Department of Food and Agriculture for Phytophthora Ramorum Quarantine Sudden Oak Death Program
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Agricultural Commissioner, or designee, to execute a contract with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to reimburse the County in an amount not to exceed $62,420 for regulatory compliance and enforcement activities related to the Sudden Oak Death Program for the period July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This agreement will reimburse the County in an amount not to exceed $62,420. The agreement is fully funded by CDFA. There is no County match of funds. 100% State funds.
BACKGROUND:
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is the lead agency for the multi-agency task force, known as the California Oak Mortality Task Force (COMTF), that was formed to develop a coordinated effort to address Phytophthora Ramorum (sudden oak death). Due to CDFA's responsibility under the COMTF and its statutory authority to establish quarantines, CDFA must enter into cooperative agreements with impacted counties. The role of the Agricultural Department is to issue compliance agreements and do related work that assures compliance by affected businesses, including plant nurseries, firewood dealers, tree services, green waste and compost facilities, to stop the spread of sudden oak death to non-infested areas of the State and County and to foreign countries.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to accept the agreement will result in the Agriculture Department not being reimbursed by CDFA for regulatory enforcement activities related to the Sudden Oak Death Program as budgeted.