The District considered several methods to address the required elements set forth in SB 700, including the development of new agricultural permitting programs. The District's goal is to create fair and consistent programs with the aid of an Agricultural Permitting Advisory Committee (APAC).

After decades of exemptions, the District has limited experience regulating agricultural operations. Therefore, to assist in the development of new agricultural programs, the District established the APAC. The idea behind APAC was to bring together the local agricultural community, agricultural officials, and other interested parties, to share their expertise and comments with the District. The APAC ensures that the District develops new rules that fulfill the required elements of SB 700 while remaining fair to the local agricultural community.   The views and concerns of APAC participants will certainly be considered and are very important to the District's future developments regarding SB 700 requirements. The District envisions APAC to have a significant influence on nearly every aspect of the District's SB 700 implementation plan.

Those invited to participate in APAC were identified by the District as leaders within the local agricultural community or possessing a strong interest in SB 700 regulations. Potential candidates targeted for APAC participation included: the Yolo and Solano County Agricultural Commissioners, Yolo and Solano County Farm Bureau representatives, Sierra Club representatives, local grower's groups/associations, and select individual farm owners/operators. The diversity of this committee allows each participant to bring a different perspective to APAC - which helps the District develop an effective agricultural permitting rule. APAC also provides a forum for participants to express the comments and concerns of those they represent. To join APAC, contact Paul Hensleigh at 530-757-3665.