Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 10A.14 Prevention of Grapeleaf Infestation

This Chapter shall be known as "Prevention of Grapeleaf Infestation."

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)

Greengrowing grapevines within the County of Mendocino face a serious threat of damaging infestation from the pest described below. The intent of the provisions below is to prevent such infestation.

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)

(A) "Area" means a specific property of a person/firm or a specific nursery stock growing ground or holding area and includes all the land within a one (1) mile radius.

(B) "GLS infested area" means that GLS described below, has been detected in the area and has not been eradicated.

(C) "Greengrowing grapevines" means grapevine plants with leaves. Dormant grapevines without leaves are not considered a pest risk.

(D) "Western grapeleaf skeletonizer," also described herein as "GLS", means the insect Harrisina brillians, a serious grape pest in some grape growing regions of California.

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)

(A) All greengrowing grapevines are prohibited entry into Mendocino County unless accompanied by an origin certificate or a treatment certificate as stated herein.

(B) Origin certificates may be issued when the regulatory official in the shipping county has surveyed for GLS and is confident that the pest does not occur in the growing area. The certificate shall include the statement "no GLS is known to exist in the area where the vines were grown or held."

(C) Greengrowing grapevines originating from unsurveyed or GLS infested areas shall be accompanied by a certificate affirming treatment by one of the following methods:

(1) Cryolite treatment treated with six (6) to eight (8) pounds cryolite per acre. Thorough coverage is essential;

(2) Other insecticidal treatments that meet with the approval of the destination County Agricultural Commissioner.

(D) All shipments of greengrowing grapevines destined to Mendocino County shall be held at destination for inspection by the County Agricultural Commissioner.

(E) The County Agricultural Commissioner may, at his discretion, require a grower receiving a shipment of greengrowing grapevines to treat such vines in a manner to prevent the introduction or spread of GLS.

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)

A "Certificate of Quarantine Compliance," CDFA Form 66-079 issued by the California Food and Agriculture Department, shall be used to certify greengrowing grapevines.

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)

Fees to be charged by the County Agricultural Commissioner to administer this Chapter shall be as set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)

Any person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation in violation or causing the violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or by imprisonment in the County jail for a period of not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(Ord. No. 3822 (part), adopted 1992.)