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County agricultural staff seeks emergency funding after glassy winged sharpshooter outbreak; preliminary crop reports show heavy losses among reporters
Summary
El Dorado County staff told commissioners they have spent roughly $3 million on treatments for the glassy winged sharpshooter over the past 18 months, have requested an additional $3 million from CDFA, and reported preliminary figures from about half of wine‑grape growers show roughly 40% losses among respondents.
El Dorado County agricultural staff briefed the Agricultural Commission May 13 on multiple items including a large glassy winged sharpshooter (GWSS) infestation, preliminary crop-report data and several pending state bills.
Leanne (speaker 9), speaking in a staff capacity, said the county has been the ‘‘biggest infestation in the state’’ for GWSS and that the department has spent about $3 million on treatments over roughly the last 18 months. She said staff had requested an additional $3 million from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to continue treatments and trap deployments; staff described planned contractor spraying in the Serrano Golf Course area and ongoing detection-trap work.
Leanne also said county crop-report efforts were incomplete but preliminary numbers from roughly 50% of wine‑grape growers who have reported indicate about a 40% loss among those respondents; she stressed those figures are preliminary while staff continues to gather reports before publishing a final crop report.
On legislation, Leanne summarized two bills of interest: SB 1305, which she described as a roadmap that would require California Department of Fish and Wildlife to prepare planning documents for potential grizzly reintroduction if the bill passes; and SB 1327, which would change how electric-vehicle chargers are regulated and tested, potentially shifting testing authority and causing the county to lose testing-fee revenue. She noted local and statewide implications if those bills advance.
Staffers also raised related operational matters: the department is increasing trap deployment, contracting with pest-control firms for spraying while county staff provides oversight, and coordinating with CDFA on funding. Staff estimated the ag department’s annual budget is about $2 million and emphasized that GWSS response has been costly relative to that budget.
Staff said they will continue outreach to growers, complete the crop report when reporting rates reach a reliable threshold, and pursue CDFA and other state funding as available.
