Siskiyou County Ag Commissioner Office, Yreka, CA

MINUTES

September 17, 2014

Siskiyou County

Members Present:

Tim Gibson, Plumas/Sierra Counties Joe Moreo, Modoc/Lassen Counties

Rick Gurrola, Tehama County Steve Hajik, Lake County

Chuck Morse, Mendocino County Jim Buckles, Del Norte County

Paul Kjos, Shasta County Pat Griffin, Siskiyou County

Guests Present:

Gary Leslie, CDFA Joe Marade, DPR

I. Call to Order

Chairman Chuck Morse called the meeting to order at 10:32 am.

II. Approval of minutes:

The minutes were amended to clarify Notices and the DPR Cal PEATS funding. It was M/S/P to approve the minutes of the July 17-18, 2014 meeting of the Northern Assoc meeting at Mendocino, as amended.

III. Reports

A. Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Gurrola reported no change from the previous month balance of $1,381.35. Gurrola reminded attendees that dues are payable at the January meeting.

B. DPR Liaison Report – Joe Marade

Joe reported on the following DPR-related topics, as indicated on attached Report:

· Residue testing – majority of produce test had little or no pesticide residue.

· GWP – List of pesticides that have potential to pollute groundwater is out and the regulations that mitigate their use will become effective on October 1.

· San Joaquin Valley VOC prohibitions – Due to VOC limits being exceeded, the non-fumigant high-VOC prohibitions will be in effect from May – Oct 2015. Six counties are affected; Kern north to Stanislaus.

· Closed Systems and PPE – Regulatory package still not noticed for either group. Anticipate notice for public comment soon.

· Chlorpyrifos – DPR proposes to list chlorpyrifos as a restricted material. Will impact approximately 30 products used in the production of an ag commodity.

· Legislative Bill Summary – many bills outlined in attached Report

SB 1332 – regulate the use of CO pest control devices has been chaptered. Development of regulations pending.
SB1262 – Bill would regulate the dispensing, cultivation and processing of medical marijuana. Bill is dead.
SB 1405 – amends Healthy School Act to require training and posting of IPM plan at schools. On Governor’s desk.

· ENF Branch –

a. G. Farnsworth, P. Frankel and D. Ruben attended a meeting to discuss marijuana cultivation and concerns about pesticide applications associated with those sites.

b. Investigation Procedures training – a two day session for CAC staff will be held throughout the state this fall.

c. Hearing Officer Training – to be held throughout the state. Priority for attendees is current contracted HO, current county HO and those likely to become HO.

· Product Compliance Branch –

SGAR rodenticide issues –DPR working on an FAQ document to address alternative materials and how to comply with regulations.

· PML Branch –

Licensing over 13,000 packets sent out with 10% already returned.

· Worker Health and Safety Branch

Chloropicrin Mitigation – After several public meeting and the comments received, DPR is considering changes to the emergency preparedness and response section of the proposal. If any county still has comments, they must be submitted immediately.

· If any county receives requests for public records or information regarding risk assessments, feel free to refer to Charlotte Fadipe. Several requests have been made by Center for Investigative Reporting.

C. CDFA Liaison Report – Gary Leslie

Gary reported on the following CDFA-related topics, as indicated on attached Report:

· Personnel changes

a. CAC Changes – San Benito CAC Ron Ross announced his January 2015 retirement; Bobbie Willhite was appointed as CAC in San Bernardino County; Tuolumne County CAC Vicki Helmar announced her January 2015 retirement.

b. Under-Secretary Sandra Schubert will be leaving her position within the next few days. No replacement has been named.

· Licensing/Exams – Written exams were administered this week. Orals will be scheduled soon after the Conference to be completed in late November. No locations identified as of yet.

· Inspection Services

a. Advocacy Training was held at several locations with over 100 county participants. Next will be Hearing Officer training.

b. Reminder that F&V Standardization training is available online. Available at CDFA website.

· Division of Measurement Standards –

Standards Certification backlog – take the backlog at DMS into consideration when scheduling our county recertifications.
NIST is creating an online directory of weights & measures officials. CDFA is requesting counties to submit roster of officials to NIST.
Hydrogen dispenser testing – As of now, no stations tested have met the national accuracy standards but it is anticipated many will meet the Ca standards recently adopted.

· Plant Health and Pest Prevention

Programmatic EIR for integrated pest management was released by CDFA on Aug 25. Outreach session in Sac is planned. Fred Crowder will consolidate CAC comments and submit. Comment period extended until 10/31. The EIR is tiered to allow for expansion of impacts. EIR does not include weed management.
The export of citrus from Ca to China has resumed after suspension due to brown rot finds.
LBAM finds in Stockton, Solana Beach and Goleta. All are being delimited. Reminder to review the county Scope of Work for additional reporting requirements implemented this year.
Branched broomrape detected in 4 fields in San Joaquin County. Fields held and to be destroyed.
Pest Prevention training scheduled in Tehama County on Oct 15.
Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus detected in San Joaquin and Kern counties as a result of trace forward/back activities.
EGVM quarantine area in Solano County has been lifted. The portions of Napa and Sonoma counties remaining under quarantine have been reduced.
Med Fly quarantine dropped and pest declared eradicated in LA County.
ACP detected in SLO and added to current quarantine that includes parts of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare. Only HLB disease was found on one tree in Los Angeles County – eradicated. Ventura.
Japanese Beetle infestation in Sac County – two post treatment delimitation surveys ongoing.
GM finds in LA, Sacramento, and Butte counties have been identified as European type and are being delimited. Orange County GM not identified as of yet.

· Leg update. –

AB 1871 – Direct Marketing bill is awaiting Governor’s signature. Will require outreach to FM participants. Regulatory package to follow. Del Norte County is requesting some exemptions for counties on state borders. Several bills listed but no additional discussions.
All groundwater bills have been signed by Governor.

D. Legislative update - Gurrola

Summary sheet (attached) was handed out by Gurrola. No further discussion.

E. Board of Director Report – Hajik and Morse

a. Discussion about participation in Finance Committee; North is not represented but not all area groups represented. Committee members need to be devoted and knowledgeable and not just positions to be filled by area group.

b. Area Group Guidelines were discussed, specifically about the process of sending issue between CAC and Deputy Groups. Sac and South area groups have written guidelines with additional templates available on CACASA.org. M/S/P to have deputy group look at others guidelines and determine if applicable to Northern group.

c. CACASA Executive Director position was discussed. Cansler has contract through 2015. Discussed development of position needs assessment and determine what responsibilities need to be included in contract for Director. Discussed having incumbent in state may be better fit but maintain relationship with Cansler for national lobbyist issues.

BREAK FOR LUNCH

d. Siverling Contract – discussion to consider extending contact for a two year period.

e. Gless contract – Current contract extended through 2015 with increase in travel expense. A needs assessment and RFP to be developed to consider dealing with CalAg and CalPEATS. New contract will require meeting with CACASA rep twice a year for review/evaluation.

f. IT Director – a group of CAC will be convened to determine a scope of work for this new position. May include web page, Calag issues, and CalPEATS issues.

g. Nominating Committee – Discussion included need for representation of the North on leadership positions. North has specific situations including having three CAC who are responsible for two counties.

h. Honorary/Life Awards – Keith Mahan will receive his Life Membership award at Winter Conference. Mark Lockhart received his Award by personal delivery. Mary Pfeiffer will be awarded at the Spring Conference.

IV. Unfinished Business –

A. Update on Wolf Plan – P Griffin reported a draft plan is scheduled to be completed at end of October. Members of the three subgroups are still polarized in spite of CalF&W desire to have consensus of the groups. Issues included how many wolves can California support, how many before wolf is delisted, implementation of Phase II. Groups want as many wolves as exist now in Idaho but California has only ~10% of elk population compared to Idaho. Discussed to invite F&W staff to Weed & Vert Committee meeting at Conference.

Waters of the United States (WOTUS) – Chuck, as Chair of the Food Resource Protection Committee, sent out response letter to US EPA. Sub Committee developed the CACASA comment letter which was revised with assistance from BOD members and signed by President Florin.

Multiple versions of Workplans – Kjos reported that CDFA-PDEP Manger Kevin Hoffman requested multiple workplans for detection contracts as a result of the delay in delimitation of JB in Sacramento County. Hoffman wrote that the multiple plans would be utilized to obtain new funding to cover cost of reinstating two week service intervals of GM and JB traps.

Cal PEATS – Gurrola reported that 2 vendors have submitted bids that meet the criteria in the RFP. Two others that would not allow CACASA to own the source code are under review as to whether they will be accepted. Copies of the bids were sent to the evaluation committee (without costs attached) and were scored. Technical score and costs will be used to determine vendor; 75% on technical and 25% on cost. An ambitious schedule to determine vendor selection and contracting is expected to have the successful bidder contracted by December 1.

Wildlife Resource Committee – At the BOD meeting on Aug. 27-28, it was decided that the Weed & Vertebrate Committee chair will keep track of the Cal F&W Resource Committee meeting schedule and assign a W&V Committee member to attend the meeting. The meetings are held throughout the state. Reiterated that attendance at committee meetings is important but written comments to F&G Commission are vital.

**Item taken out of Order

VII. Executive/Closed Session

Wildlife Services Update – Morse

USDA Propogative Import Requirements – cucumber mottle mosaic virus

V. New Business –

A. School Policy CAC Working Group – Morse

Schools report came out and was not flattering to CAC. Region 9 USEPA will be conducting a pesticide residue sampling at selected school sites in 6 different counties. Region 9 staff will be setting timing, procedures and protocol for sampling. DPR has suggested modifications to the procedures and protocols. PRAC will have a small group of CAC to meet with US EPA to discuss how the study will be conducted. Discussed what possible policy or restrictions may result from this study. USEPA to begin sampling in February 2015.

Pesticide use in marijuana grow sites – Kjos and Gurrola

Shasta County received a Priority Pesticide Illness Investigation after 5 law enforcement staff sought medical attention after exposure to what is believed to be furadan after removal of an illegal marijuana grow on federal lands in Shasta County. All 5 individuals were involved with the removal of marijuana plants and a person taken into custody stated the plants had been sprayed with furadan. No information on when the material was applied or what rate was used. Symptoms reported included nausea, headache and other flu like symptoms. All individuals were wearing leather gloves and long sleeves but no other protective equipment. Shasta County CAC has offered to assist the law enforcement departments with training in the identification of pesticide signal words and appropriate PPE to use during plant removal. Tehama County reported that in a different incident, after a Tehama County resident was arrested at a marijuana grow site with empty pesticide containers, a search warrant was served at the individuals home and F&W requested assistance with the violations of pesticide regulations from the Tehama County CAC.

Meeting date for Hat Creek meeting in June 2015 - Gurrola

After discussion the meeting was set for June 18-19, 2015. Gurrola will make the necessary arrangements with the park.

Seed Health Summit - Gurrola

Topic covered during Closed Session discussion.

VI. Late Additional Items (time permitting)

A. PUE Deputy Working Group – Gurrola

The PRAC Committee will be reviewing new laws and regulations and have requested to have one PUE Deputy from each area group review the new laws and regulations. It was decided to allow several Deputies to be on a list and, depending upon what specific pesticide/application method was being reviewed, forward the review request to a Deputy with experience in that specific area.

B. Pest Prevention Farm Bill –

Fred Crowder requested suggestions on projects which would qualify for Section 10007 of the Farm Bill funding. If any county has recommendations, send to Tim Gibson, who will compile the list and forward to Crowder.

C. ZnPh on Cabbage label-SLN – Modoc has submitted a request for a Section 18 label to apply zinc phosphide on cabbage for ground squirrel control. The request was for use in Lassen, Modoc, and Siskiyou counties.

D. Conference Attendance and Committee Assignments – Chuck.

After polling the group, it appeared we will have full attendance at the Winter conference, so no action was needed to assure committees are covered.

VIII. Next Meeting Dates

No meeting is scheduled in October due to the Winter Conference in Sacramento. Next meeting of the North Regional Assoc will be in Redding on November 12, 2014.

IX. Adjournment

M/S/C to adjourn meeting by Chair Morse at 3:42pm

Respectfully submitted: Paul Kjos, Shasta County Ag. Comm./Sealer of Weights & Measures

RANCACS Secretary