Board renews local emergency proclamations for citrus greening and Pierce’s disease to access state funds

At a public meeting, Riverside County supervisors unanimously approved renewals of local emergency proclamations tied to Asian citrus psyllid/Huanglongbing (citrus greening) and Pierce’s disease, actions the county said allow authorities to access state funds and certain emergency response powers.

Veronica Langworthy, a public commenter with a background in agriculture, asked the board for specific data on what the emergency funds have been used for and what on-the-ground actions have been taken. The board’s CEO and agricultural staff answered that the renewals provide access to funds from the California Department of Food and Agriculture and help the county continue mitigation work.

Misael Martinez, Assistant Agricultural Commissioner for Riverside County, explained the county’s active steps: inspections at nurseries to detect pests; participation in trapping efforts for vectors such as the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the Asian citrus psyllid; coordination with the state to report detections; and targeted treatments where necessary to limit spread into commercial groves. Martinez noted that Huanglongbing remains without a cure and that work focuses on monitoring, reporting and mitigation.

Supervisor Washington and the CEO emphasized that renewing proclamations is a routine but necessary mechanism to secure funds and, in some cases, limited emergency powers to address threats that persist for years. The board recorded the vote as 5-0 in favor of renewal.