LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Local agricultural operators with stationary/portable diesel engines are invited to apply to take part in a newly approved program.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the Lake County Air Quality Management District Board of Directors adopted a resolution to create an Agricultural Assistance Program (AAP).

The AAP is a two year pilot program to assist locally owned and operated agricultural operations with the annual permit renewal fees for their stationary/portable diesel engines.

The AAP has the following minimum qualifying requirements for eligibility:

• The operation must be independently owned and operated;
• Be owned and operated by an individual or entity within Lake County, Calif.;
• Not be dominant in their field of operation;
• Emit less than 10 tons per year of any single pollutant and less than 20 tons per year of all pollutants;
• Must have been in compliance with district requirement and regulations for the past three years;
• And have annual receipts not in excess of $750,000.

Additionally the program authorizes the APCO to consider applications from agricultural operators that have suffered from a local natural disaster, severe crop loss, or act of God which has been identified by the Lake County Board of Supervisors as a local emergency, regardless of qualifications under the above.

Qualifying operations must submit an application in which they certify, under penalty of perjury, that their operation meets the criteria listed, and that the renewal fee is a financial burden to their operation.

If all the qualifying requirements are met, the operator will receive their permit renewal at reduced or no cost, depending on the level of assistance they request.

Agricultural Assistance Program Applications are available at the district office or by calling 707-263-7000.