Bolinas Community Public Utility District
A Special Meeting  Of  The Board  Of  Directors
October 30, 2014    270 Elm Road, Bolinas

 

1.      Call to Order.

 

3:30 p.m.

 

2.   Roll.

 

Directors Amoroso, Comstock and Smith present; directors Godino and Siedman absent.  Director Amoroso presiding.

 

3.   Community Expression.

 

None.

 

4.   Letter from the BCPUD re: the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Draft Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Report.

 

Directors Comstock and Smith presented a comment letter they prepared for submittal to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”) concerning its draft Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (“PEIR”).   In general, the letter opposes the PEIR because of the broad mandate it would provide to the CDFA for chemical pesticide use without further opportunity for environmental review in specific settings, for the potential damage to organic crops, and for the potential harm posed by the use of such chemicals to watersheds that supply drinking water throughout California.  Director Amoroso suggested the letter make clear that it is being submitted on behalf of the BCPUD Board (and not just the two signatory directors).  Director Smith requested that the BCPUD be identified as a political subdivision of the State of California because he feels it carries more weight and would better identify the district for the CDFA.  Stacey Henderson inquired about where she can get more information about the CDFA’s proposed action; director Comstock explained that Eleanor Lyman provided a website link to more information and noted that the close of the comment period is tomorrow.   Director Smith offered clarifying revisions to the draft letter, which were incorporated by staff.   The Board directed staff to submit the letter, with all of the revisions noted, to the local and statewide legislators (including Governor Brown and Congressmember Huffman) as well as the CDFA.   Eleanor Lyman thanked the Board for its excellent letter.

 

L. Comstock/D. Smith               three in favor, two absent           to approve the district’s comment letter to the CDFA on the Draft Statewide Plant Pest Prevention and Management Programmatic Environmental Impact Report.

 

5.   Adjournment.

           

3:45 p.m.