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SAN JOAQUIN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION <br />Jufy 27, 2022 <br />MEETING TODAY'S CHALLENGES / PLANNING FOR TOMORROW <br />San Joaquin County Community Development Department <br />Development Services Division <br />Attn: Stephanie Powers <br />1810 E. Hazelton Avenue <br />Stockton, CA 95205 <br />Dear Ms. Powers; <br />The San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation is a private, not for profit, volunteer organization. The Farm <br />Bureau is San Joaquin County's oldest agricultural organization, dedicated to the promotion and <br />advancement of agriculture for over one hundred years. We would like to express our concern regarding <br />this application, a site approval to modify an existing 85 foot monopole telecommunications tower with <br />associated ground equipment. <br />Aerial sprayers provide many valuable services to both the agricultural industry and to the community at <br />large. In agriculture, we use crop dusters to eliminate crop damaging pests and the County's Mosquito <br />and Vector Control District also regularly uses aerial spraying for mosquito abatement purposes to control <br />disease carrying insects for the public. Pursuant to the San Joaquin County Development Title', the <br />proposed project shall not significantly displace or impair agricultural operations. Here, we have <br />reservations about this project in a highly agricultural area that regularly utilizes the services of aerial <br />sprayers. Following best agricultural practices, crop dusters fly lower than regular air traffic to maximize <br />their efficiency and only spray the crop, eliminating drift to the greatest extent possible. Thus, we must <br />make certain that the monopole communication tower is clearly marked and maintained to ensure <br />adequate visibility to protect the aerial sprayers, so we can maintain the existing agricultural operations <br />in the region. <br />As a condition of approval forthis application, we recommend the county require that the applicant follow <br />the FAA painting and lighting recommendations for structures that may pose a hazard to all navigation. <br />The unique circumstances of the project and the site warrant such consideration and it would best serve <br />the agricultural and public safety interests at stake. If you have any further questions, please do not <br />hesitate to contact the Farm Bureau at (209) 931-4931. <br />Sincerely, <br />David Strecker <br />San Joaquin Farm Bureau President <br />' S1C Development Title 9-1065.4(e) <br />3290 NORTH AD ART ROAD • (209) 931-4931 • STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA 95215 <br />