DATE: July 14, 2026
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Paul Nerland, County Administrative Officer/Director of Emergency Services
SUBJECT: Extension and Termination of a Local Emergency - Beet Leafhopper Insect in Fresno County
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Resolution extending to July 31, 2026, and terminating on August 1, 2026, the local emergency proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services to combat the Beet Leafhopper insect, initially proclaimed on April 1, 2026, ratified by the Board of Supervisors on April 7, 2026, and extended by the Board of Supervisors on June 2, 2026.
REPORT
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will ensure that the local emergency status proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services on April 1, 2026, and ratified by your Board on April 7, 2026, and extended by your Board on June 2, 2026, remains in effect through July 31, 2026, allowing 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. Approval of the recommended action will terminate the local emergency effective August 1, 2026. The areas affected are mainly in the west side of the County, but this item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board may elect to continue the local emergency for up to 60 days, based on the need for continuing the local emergency, or terminate the local emergency sooner.
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 ...
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