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SACRAMENTO – A key Assembly Committee voted 8-0 Wednesday to approve SB 562, a bill by Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) to clarify that plants raised for biofuel production may participate in the Williamson Act.
The bill also expands the Williamson Act definition of “open-space use” to include areas enrolled in the United States Department of Agriculture's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
Under the Williamson Act, a landowner and city or county agree to enforceably restrict land to an agricultural or compatible use for a period of at least 10 years. In return, the landowner receives a reduced property tax incentive.
Also under the Act, “agricultural use” means the production of an agricultural commodity (any and all plant and animal products commercially produced in this state), while “open space use” is defined as the use or maintenance of land in a manner that preserves its natural characteristics, beauty or openness for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, to provide essential habitat for wildlife, or for the solar evaporation of seawater in the course of salt production for commercial purposes, within a scenic highway corridor, wildlife habitat area, salt pond, managed wetland area, or submerged area.
In her testimony before the committee today, Wiggins said that “SB 562 updates and clarifies two provisions of the Williamson Act.
“The first includes the definition of agricultural commodities, which are plants that are grown for the production of biofuels. This will ensure that crops which may represent a source of renewable energy can be grown on lands under Williamson Act contract.
“The second update clarifies that lands under the federal Conservation Reserve Program are allowed on Williamson Act lands,” Wiggins told committee members. “These two simple changes will update the Williamson Act to keep pace with changes in California’s dynamic agricultural community.”
According to an analysis by committee staff, the agricultural industry “must adjust to changing markets in order to survive. There is a growing trend borne out of climate change proposals at the state and federal levels for farmers to respond to the demand for alternative fuels.
“Because those crops are not strictly for food or fiber, proponents are concerned that eligibility for Williamson Act contracts may be challenged,” the analysis continued. “Similarly, pursuant to the demand for environmental and habitat mitigation, proponents are concerned that participation in CRP and CREP may be challenged. This bill is intended to clarify definitions set forth in the Williamson Act, and to ensure continued participation in the program.”
Wiggins' spokesman, David Miller, said the bill has one more stop to go – the Assembly Natural Resources – before going to the full Assembly for a vote.
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LAKE COUNTY – Lake County tobacco retailers have stepped up efforts in the ongoing “undo tobacco” campaign to minimize the exposure of tobacco product advertising to children.
One of the ways that tobacco companies continue in their drive to market tobacco to youth is through sign and display placement in stores. While tobacco companies provide these materials free of charge, they also pay large amounts, in the way of incentives, to retailers to keep signage at an eye level that will attract both potential and current smokers to their brands.
Many studies have shown that children who are constantly exposed to tobacco advertising are more likely to become smokers. That is obvious in national surveys that have shown that up to 93 percent of current smokers started before the age of 18.
“Lake Country tobacco retailers have really stepped up to the plate,” said Michael Rupe, program coordinator at Lake Family Resource Center. “In 2005 we only had 12 retailers willing to make the difficult choice to move and/or remove signage from the eye level of children, generally below 3 feet. This is a large financial commitment the tobacco retailers are making to protect Lake County children because the stores lose some of the incentives paid by tobacco companies.”
Working with the Lake FRC Tobacco Control Program, 19 Lake County tobacco retailers have signed policies agreeing to move all tobacco advertising away from candy and snack areas and eliminate any advertising signs located below 3 feet.
The stores who have joined the campaign are:
– Clearlake: Nott’s Liquors, Parkview Market and Kool & Cash;
– Lakeport – Bruno’s Shop Smart, Longs Drugs and Safeway;
– Nice: North Shore Sentry Market and Valero;
– Upper Lake: Highway Grocery and Blue Lakes Country Store;
– Kelseyville: Kelseyville Food Center, Mt. Konocti Gas, Kit’s Corner Store and Riviera Market;
– Middletown and Cobb: Hardester’s Markets;
– Hidden Valley: Hidden Valley Food Mart;
– Lucerne: Lakeview Market;
– Clearlake Oaks/Spring Valley: Russ Valley Pantry.
The Lake FRC Tobacco Control Program “undo tobacco” campaign provides educational materials and training for retail staff on ways to minimize the marketing of tobacco products to local youth.
For more information about the program, or if you would like to join in the efforts to “undo tobacco” in Lake County, call Michael Rupe at the LakeFRC Tobacco Control Program, 262-1611.
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MIDDLETOWN – Curtis Miller of Pope Valley is the winner of the Fergusson Cutlery second anniversary free raffle that was held during Middletown Days last weekend.
He won a Kershaw three-piece kitchen knife and cutting board set.
Congratulations, Curtis!
Fergusson Cutlery is located at 21152 Calistoga St. No. 101, Middletown, telephone 987-0121. Visit them online at www.fergussoncutlery.com.
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Shannon Ridge Winery, one of the region’s pioneering operations, will host a grand opening event to celebrate its new tasting room facility, located in Clearlake Oaks. The winery has recently completed renovations on a historic one-room school house building, which houses the Shannon Ridge Winery tasting room and retail sales facility.
The event will take place June 30 and July 1, from noon to 4 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy wine, food, music and discounted case prices on select Shannon Ridge wines.
Adjacent to the updated tasting room, the winery also has completed the construction of a demonstration “vinegarden” and picnic area. The vinegarden is an educational tool that aims at increasing visitors’ awareness about the Lake County wine grape growing region. This picturesque outdoor area offers guests a chance to enjoy the Shannon Ridge wines in an open-air setting. Additionally, Shannon Ridge offers its Wrangler Tour, a vineyard tour and tasting, by appointment, on Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. for $25 per person.
A portion of the proceeds from sales during the grand opening event will be donated to Operation Tango Mike, a community effort that sends care packages and support to United States troops. This mission is accomplished through the support of Lake County veterans, community organizations and volunteers.
Shannon Ridge Winery's tasting room is located at 12599 E. Highway 20, Clearlake Oaks.
For more information, please visit www.shannonridge.com or call 998-9656.
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