Shasta County Municipal Code Ch. 8.21 Mint Production

The purpose of this chapter is to protect the mint growing industry in Shasta County from the introduction and spread of Verticillium dahliae of mint.

(Ord. 93-15 (part), 1993)

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

"Commissioner" means the agricultural commissioner for Shasta County.

"Equipment" means all equipment, appliances and machinery used to plant, produce, harvest, transport or process mint.

"Mint or mint rootstock" means stolens, rhizomes, root tip cuttings, plantlets, plants or any plant part capable of propagation of spearmint, peppermint and their cultivars.

"Person" means any person, entity, corporation, association or political body.

"Protected area" means those areas in eastern Shasta County described as follows:

A. That portion of the county lying within the following boundaries: Beginning at the northeast corner of Shasta County; then, southerly along the county line to the township line common to T35N and T36N; then, westerly along said township line to the range line common to R3E and R4E; then, northerly along said range line to the county line; then, easterly, along said county line to the point of beginning.

B. That portion of the county lying within the following boundaries: Beginning at the intersection of State Highway 89 and Wilcox Road; then, easterly along said road to its intersection with the range line common to R4E and R5E; then, northerly along said range line to its intersection with the township line common to T35N and T36N; then, westerly along said township line to its intersection with the range line common to R3E and R4E; then, southerly along said range line to its intersection with State Highway 89; then, southeasterly along said highway to the beginning.

C. That portion of the county lying within the following boundaries: Beginning at the intersection of the range line common to R3E and R4E and State Highway 89; then, southerly along said range line to the southeast corner of T35N, R3E, S13; then westerly along an imaginary line to the southeast corner of T35N, R2E, S16; then, northerly along an imaginary line to the northwest corner of T36N, R2E, S21; then, easterly along an imaginary line to the northeast corner of said section; then, northerly along an imaginary line to the northwest corner of T36, R2E, S15; then, due east along an imaginary line to its intersection with the range line common to R3E and R4E; then, southerly along said range line to the point of beginning.

"Verticillium"

means Verticillium Wilt Disease caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae.

(Ord. 93-15 (part), 1993)

The importation of mint and equipment into the protected area of Shasta County is prohibited, unless the following conditions are met:

A. Application for a Permit. Persons wanting to import mint into the protected area shall apply in writing to the commissioner for a permit to import and plant mint. The application form shall be prescribed by the commissioner. The board of supervisors may establish a fee to be paid by each applicant.

B. Permit Issuance. If after investigation, the commissioner determines that the mint to be imported is free from Verticillium, he shall issue a permit authorizing the applicant to import and plant said mint. The permit shall specify all conditions for importation including arrival notification and inspection requirements.

C. Mint Rootstock. Only tip cuttings, meristem cuttings or certified rootstock free from Verticillium dahliae may be imported into Shasta County.

D. Equipment. No person shall bring equipment into the protected area unless the following conditions are met:

1. The equipment is accompanied a certificate of cleanliness issued by an agricultural official at origin or is inspected by the commissioner.

2. The commissioner shall be notified within twenty-four hours of the arrival in the protected area of such equipment. It shall be held, before use, for inspection if the commissioner deems it necessary.

3. If upon inspection of the equipment, soil or debris is detected, the equipment shall be treated as prescribed by the commissioner or removed from the protected area.

(Ord. 93-15 (part), 1993)

The commissioner may, whenever he deems it necessary, inspect planted mint, mint intended for planting, any premises, land or machinery in order to determine if Verticillium is present.

(Ord. 93-15 (part), 1993)

If the commissioner finds Verticillium in any mint imported into the protected area, the mint shall be rejected or destroyed at the owner's expense under Section 6521, Food and Agricultural Code of California. If the commissioner detects Verticillium in production fields in the protected area, the infestation shall be delimited and then eradicated by or at the expense of the property owner or it shall be abated as provided in Sections 5401 et seq., Food and Agricultural Code of California; Verticillium detected on any other land, property, premises or equipment shall be eradicated by or at the expense of the owner.

(Ord. 93-15 (part), 1993)

Any violation of the provisions of this chapter is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by both.

(Ord. 93-15 (part), 1993)