By Todd R. Hansen McNaughton Media The Solano County Agriculture Department is updating its procedures to obtain restricted use pesticide permits in 2021. “The change is part of a statewide directive initiated by the Department of Pesticide Regulation in November 2020, requiring growers and pest control advisers to identify alternatives to pesticides specifically classified as restricted use materials prior to applying for a permit,” according to a Significant Issues report released by the county administration. “This practice will assist Solano County agricultural biologists in evaluating potential adverse environmental impacts of restricted use pesticides, all while ensuring compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act regulations.” There are about 175 growers in the county who will be affected by this change. For more information, contact the department at 707-784-1310. Also as part of the Significant Issues Report, the administration noted that County Administrator Birgitta Corsello signed several contracts within her authority:
- A $69,168 contract with the Regents of the University of California, Davis, to provide staff development training for Employment and Eligibility employees through June 30, 2021. The funding source is Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds.
- A $60,000 revenue contract with Mendocino County to provide public health laboratory services to Mendocino County through June 30, 2021. The funding source is Mendocino County.
- A $43,228 revenue contract with the state Department of Agriculture to provide winter detection and trapping of the Asian Citrus Psyllid through April 30, 2021. The funding source is the state Department of Agriculture.
- A $32,700 contract with the California Mental Health Services Authority to serve as a primary suicide prevention hotline for Solano County residents through June 30, 2021. The funding source is a combination of Mental Health Service Act and Prevention and Early Intervention funds.
- A $27,361 contract with Fairfield to provide the site and cleaning services for the Optum Covid-19 testing site from Nov. 17 to Dec. 30, 2020. The funding source was the federal CARES Act.
