One-Voice Trip Summary

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors met today with the Director and Deputy Director of Law Enforcement for the U.S. Forest Service, David Ferrell and Tracy Perry.  Discussions included the ongoing efforts to suppress illegal marijuana grow sites on public land and the inherent safety and environmental concerns associated with these sites.  Director David Ferrell pledged his continued support in the investigation and eradication of these sites.

Board members also met with Congressman Jim Costa to discuss the ongoing progress with the Lake Success dam project.  The Board requested his support to ensure that current U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deadlines are met and that every effort is made to utilize Lake Success to its capacity.  
In the afternoon, Board members met with representatives from the Department of Justice to discuss prosecution options for illegal marijuana grow sites on private lands.  This conversation, as well as a discussion regarding grow sites on public land, continued during a meeting with Deputy Director Benjamin Tucker of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.  Supervisors discussed the inclusion of Tulare County in the Office's nationwide Drug Free Communities Program, a comprehensive outreach program aimed at youth.

The Board then met with Congressman Kevin McCarthy who will represent a portion of Tulare County as a result of congressional redistricting.  The Board discussed issues of key importance to residents of the County ranging from disadvantaged community water system needs, to the proliferation of marijuana grow sites throughout the County.  Congressman McCarthy expressed his interest in assisting County Supervisors in dealing with these issues.

The last meeting of the day was with Lynn Abramson, Legislative Assistant to Senator Barbara Boxer.  Senator Boxer's office remains committed to resolving the issues concerning Lake Success and expressed interest in working with the County to explore assistance to disadvantaged communities for water system improvements.