DATE: June 2, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer/Director of Emergency Services
SUBJECT: Continuation of a Local Emergency - Beet Leafhopper Insect in Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution proclaiming and further ratifying continuation of the local emergency due to the continued threat of the beet leafhopper to local agriculture.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will ensure that the local emergency status proclaimed by the Emergency Services Director on April 1, 2026, and ratified by your Board on April 7, 2026, remains in effect and allows commercial growers to use neonicotinoid pesticides on an emergency basis on tomato crops to combat the beet leafhopper (BLH) insect pursuant to 3 California Code of Regulations, section 6990(c)(2). The BLH insect is the vector of Beet Curly Top Virus (BCTV), a disease known to cause serious tomato crop damage. The areas affected are mainly in the west side of the County, but this item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
No viable options can be identified.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The recommended action is necessary to allow commercial growers to continue to use neonicotinoid pesticides on tomato crops on an emergency basis to combat the BLH insect in Fresno County.
DISCUSSION:
Pursuant to Government Code, section 8630 and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44, the Director of Emergency Services proclaimed the existence of a local emergency on April 1, 2026, due to the imminent infestation of the BLH insect, which allowed commercial growers to use neonicotinoid pesticides on tomato crops on an emergency basis to combat the BLH insect and prevent tomato crop failure in the County. On April 7, 2026, your Board confirmed the proclamation of a local emergency by ratifying the proclamation and adopting Resolution No. 26-104.
Government Code, section 8630(c) and Fresno County Ordinance Code, Chapter 2.44 further provides that your Board shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least once every 60 days until your Board terminates the local emergency. In this instance the 60-day review period will expire on June 6, 2026, unless your Board takes action before then. Data from the California Department of Food and Agriculture continues to show the presence of the BLH insect, some of which have tested positive for BCTV. As such, staff’s recommendation is to extend the declaration of local emergency.
This item is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the provisions of the CEQA Guidelines, section 15269, which provides an exemption for emergency projects.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #37.1, April 7, 2026
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Amy Ryals