County creates panel for grading rule
Committee will work with supervisors, county staff on new agricultural controls

June 18, 2002

By TOM CHORNEAU
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Saying new regulations on farm developments are needed but unsure of exactly what rules to adopt, the Sonoma County supervisors agreed Monday to set up an advisory committee to help shape a new agricultural grading ordinance.

The committee, which would include representatives of the farm community as well as environmental groups, will work with supervisors and county staff over the next few months to find consensus on new controls over land clearing and agricultural grading that would protect wildlife and rural resources.

"There's a problem out there and we need to do something about it," said Ernie Carpenter, a land use consultant and former county supervisor. "I'm not saying that all agriculture is to blame. I think we need to look in terms of protecting biotic resources. It's got to be done."

Since the 1996 federal listing of three Russian River salmon species as threatened, there has been growing concern that new vineyards and other farming projects approved by the county receive inadequate review for environmental impacts.

Most routine farm operations such as plowing, harrowing and disking do not require county permits. Larger grading projects that involve more than 50 cubic yards of earth do call for reviews and permits, but no formal analysis is now required to assess environmental impacts.

Among the proposals put forward Monday by county planners was a requirement that all agricultural grading projects gain permission from the county as well as receive analysis for environmental impacts.

The proposal got support from just one of three board members present -- Mike Reilly. One other member, Paul Kelley, expressed strong opposition. Supervisor Tim Smith, casting the swing vote, said he remains somewhat open-minded although he was not ready to consider such a drastic step right now.

Although the hearing drew a crowd of about 100 spectators, many of them farmers, only a few expressed their views on the proposal.

"Regulations discriminate against the little guy," said Fred Peterson, a grower and winemaker from Dry Creek Valley. "The big corporations have attorneys and consultants that can help them through the maze of bureaucracy. We don't. I think you guys need to think about that."

To bring all parties together, a subcommittee of the board -- Smith and Reilly -- will meet with staff in the coming weeks and develop a list of people and groups that should be represented on the advisory committee. The committee appointments as well as the group's mandate will be brought back to the board in about one month for approval.

You can reach Staff Writer Tom Chorneau at 521-5214 or tchorneau@pressdemocrat.com.

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