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By Supervisor Dianne Jacob
September 13, 2011 (Jacumba)--Like the residents of Jacumba, I’m frustrated by the lack of progress on the eye gnat infestation and disappointed that the plan to remedy the situation hasn’t been executed properly. As I see it, the problem has three layers:
1. First, this is a first-of-its-kind experience with organic farming. In fact, other jurisdictions are monitoring our experience. Organic farming is a positive thing, but the gnats are a terrible unintended consequence for residents. It took academic help from the University of California Cooperative Extension San Diego to produce definitive evidence that the gnats were, indeed, caused by the farm. With the UC Extension’s help, a plan was crafted to eliminate or, at least, reduce the gnat problem. Last spring, we were hopeful that the farmer would voluntarily follow the plan and the residents would get their quality of life back.
2. Second, unfortunately the farmer isn’t fully cooperating. That’s a big problem. Residents and the County have watched the farmer ignore and manipulate a number of the recommendations called for in the plan. When the farmer was at the table with residents last spring, the farmer indicated that he wanted to be part of the solution. His continued reinterpretation of the plan signals to all of us that his commitment to the community has changed. I am extremely disappointed by the farmer’s refusal to carry out the plan in its entirety.
3. Third, the County must be more aggressive because the farmer isn’t playing ball. The plan is voluntary and the County can’t force the farmer to follow it. However, the County does have other enforcement powers at its disposal. These powers need to be exercised now. The community knows that I support taking legal action against the farmer in the form a public nuisance claim. This step requires documentation and it’s something my office is working on with County Counsel and other County officials. There are other enforcement mechanisms that my office is researching as well.
The bottom line: the community is in unchartered territory with an uncooperative farmer and sluggish County enforcement. Since the farmer refuses to help, the County needs to move to a tougher strategy. My goal now is to see that the farmer reduces the gnats to an acceptable level that will eliminate adverse impacts on the people of Jacumba, or in the alternative, to shut down the farm. I believe that this could have been avoided had the farmer kept his word to follow the voluntary plan.
The views expressed in this editorial reflect the views of its author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
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