Those opposed to Measure B, which asks voters to ratify
the 2004 General Plan as adopted by a 4-1 vote of EDC Supervisors,
have repeatedly indicated that the large and diverse
groups that are on record supporting Measure B are either
ignorant or guilty of “fraud”. Such rhetoric is insulting at
best, as many of the supporting individuals and groups have
taken the time to study the issues and to memorialize the
reasons for their actions. EDC Sheriff Jeff Neves tells of his
efforts to hire new deputies and the problems they encounter
trying to find affordable homes or land. Many of these problems
can be directly linked to the lack of having a valid county
general plan for many, many years. The local agricultural
industry is solidly behind efforts to pass Measure B. Below is
a synopsis on why the local Farm Bureau supports passage of
Measure B. The adopted 2004 General Plan …
 … provides the most protection for agricultural
land use including grazing. Agricultural land is
protected by way of an Agriculture Land Use
Designation and the application of Agricultural
District overlays.
 … encourages the development of new water
supplies for agriculture.
 … provides relief for agriculture on land management
methods while still protecting the environment.
Many environmental policies have been adjusted to
allow agriculture to do what is required to work the
land while still providing protections for the
environment.
 … allows agricultural activities while protecting
important habitat corridors.
 … protects agriculture against urban sprawl and
protects the county from over-development by using
working landscapes to provide a buffer against urban
development.
 … policies and objectives recognize the importance
of maintaining agriculture’s economic viability.
 …protects agriculture from incompatible uses
with the Right to Farm and agricultural setbacks.
 … ensures a place for agriculture “at the table” as
implementing documents and procedures are
developed.
For more indepth information on EDC Farm Bureau positions,
go to edcfb@d-web.com