SACRAMENTO, August 25, 2014 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in accordance with CEQA guidelines, has released the draft Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Program Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
The draft Program EIR is a crucial step as CDFA carries out its responsibility to protect the state’s food supply and natural resources. Responding to invasive species such as plant pests and diseases is one of the primary ways that CDFA helps farmers and ranchers maintain a constant, dependable and safe supply of food.
The draft Program EIR document provides a comprehensive, transparent overview of management programs to protect California’s food system through the principles of integrated pest management, while also protecting public health and the environment.
The draft Program EIR includes a process to evaluate and include new developments and potential environmental impacts – called Tiering – while providing for public participation throughout the pest management process.
The release of the draft Program EIR triggers a 45-day period for public review and comment. Written and oral comments will be accepted, and all comments received in response to the draft will be addressed in the final Program EIR. CDFA is announcing public meetings to receive comments on the draft Program EIR. The schedule of public meetings is as follows:
Monday, September 22nd – 5:30 p.m.
San Diego County Farm Bureau
1670 E. Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027
Tuesday, September 23rd -5:30 p.m.
Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
Wednesday, September 24th -5:30 p.m.
Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
4427 S. Laspina
Tulare, CA 93274ý
Monday, September 29th -5:30 p.m.
California Department of Food and Agriculture
1220 N Street, Auditorium
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tuesday, September 30th -5:30 p.m.
Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office
1710 Soscol Avenue
Napa, CA 94559