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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FROM: AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT, ED MEYER, DIRECTOR
DATE: MARCH 11, 2008
SUBJECT: DECLARE CHERRY BUCKSKIN DISEASE A PUBLIC NUISANCE
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATONS & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RESOLUTION NO. 2008/144
RECOMMENDATION(S):
WHEREAS cherry buckskin is one of the most serious diseases of sweet cherries in California and is
responsible for the demise of the cherry industries in Napa and Solano Counties in the 1920s and 30s
WHEREAS the County University of California Cooperative Extension and the County Department
of Agriculture have conducted annual cherry buckskin surveys since 1987 and the disease was found
in Contra Costa County for the first time in 2002
WHEREAS since 2002, Contra Costa County cherry growers have made individual efforts to
eradicate and prevent the spread of cherry buckskin disease in our County
WHEREAS these individual efforts have failed to prevent the spread of cherry buckskin disease
WHEREAS local cherry growers and industry members have formed an ad hoc Cherry Task Force to
develop and direct a cohesive area-wide management program in a heightened effort to stop the
spread and eliminate the disease in our county.
WHEREAS the Cherry Task Force has requested help from the County Board of Supervisors
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County
declares Cherry Buckskin Disease a public nuisance and subject to abatement as described in Division
4, Chapter 6 through 8 of the Food and Agricultural Code. And directs:
1. The County Agricultural Commissioner to work with County Counsel and the District
Attorney's Office to develop an expedited process for removal of abandoned orchards and
other host trees as well as vector management when property owners fail to remove or care
for orchards or trees that are suspected of harboring the disease in our cherry growing
region and are within 1 mile of commercial cherries.
2. Public Works and other appropriate County Departments to remove any unmanaged host
plants from county right of way areas that could serve as a potential reservoir for:
a. Cherry Buckskin Disease and that are within 1 mile of commercial cherries, or
b. The Cherry Leafhopper vector and are within '/4 mile of commercial orchards.
3. The County Department of Agriculture, Community Development and other appropriate
County Departments to work with other public entities and developers to eliminate plant
materials from future landscaping plans that could serve as a potential reservoir for:
a. Cherry Buckskin Disease and that are within 1 mile of commercial cherries, or
b. Cherry Leafhopper vector and are within '/4 mile of commercial cherries.
4. The County Department of Agriculture and other appropriaXTVunty Departments to work
with other entities to educate homeowners within 1 mile m c mmercial cherry orchards,
about the landscaping plants that can threaten the local i us
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SI NATU
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE(S):
ACTION OF THE BOARD ON alyl!06 APPROVE AS RECOMMENDED V OT ER
VO�E OF SUPERVISORS I HEARBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT
UNANIMOUS ABSENT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE
MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE
SHOWN.
AYES NOES ATTESTED 7yLAVM I',
ABSENT--
Contact: JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AND COUNTY ADMINIST ATOR
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Cc: County Administrator By Deputy