Supervisors Expand BRRG Committee

Sonora, CA — The revamped Biological Resources Review Guide Ad Hoc Committee was scheduled to have nine members, but the Tuolumne County Supervisors decided instead to appoint all the applicants.

The decision was made at yesterday’s meeting. The Board had earlier decided to include two Supervisors, as well as one person each from the fields of development, business, agriculture, conservation/environment, a biologist, a representative from the Department of Fish and Game, and a member of the general public.

No one applied for the Fish and Game opening. There were two applications for agriculture, Ron Giannelli and Jeff Costello. Two biologists applied, Diane Moore and Dale Keyser, and there were two general public applicants, Dick Pland and Carey Haughy. Rather than narrow it down, the Board decided to just appoint all the applicants, noting that it was a strong field of candidates. The vote was 5-0. There are now 11 people on the Ad Hoc Committee. Other members that were appointed in fields that were uncontested include Ron Kopf, Mark Banks, and Tom Harrington.

The group will look at revisions to the Biological Resources Review Guide, and propose different alternatives. The BRRG is used by developers to work through the environmental review process on projects. The committee will bring back recommendations within 90 days.