At the request of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, SAREP is developing a resource guide describing important environmental issues and federal, state, and county regulations related to vineyard development.

“California grape growers want to ‘do the right thing’ about environmental issues and regulations when it comes to developing their vineyards, but they need they need to know the rules in order to do so,” says Jenny Broome, SAREP associate director.

The grower resource guide will:

• Identify environmental issues to be considered in vineyard development;
• Identify existing regulatory programs, including county ordinances and permits, state and federal laws;
• Identify necessary steps for complying with existing regulations;
• Compile information on valuable resources for growers seeking more information, including publications and agency contacts.

General environmental issues to be considered include erosion, hillside development, oak woodlands conservation, vernal pools and wetlands, riparian area development, water quality, air quality, habitat conservation, and endangered species. When possible, information on voluntary compliance and incentive programs will also be provided, although the project focuses mainly on existing environmental regulations. The resource guide is expected to be available to growers by spring 2000.

For more information, please contact SAREP, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, Tel: (530) 754-8547; Fax: (530) 754-8550; Email: sarep@ucdavis.edu.