Tulare County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tulare County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Kit fox habitat protections at Road 166 site
Neighbors produced trail-camera videos claiming kit foxes — a protected species — live in the White River/Wachumna Ditch area; staff concluded the animals look like common gray foxes but added conditions halting construction if a kit fox is ever confirmed.
Golden mussel invasion risk
Invasive golden mussels have infested the lower 30 miles of the Friant-Kern Canal and aren't going away. Control will cost at least $3 million next year, and costs flow to water districts and ultimately growers.
Illegal Dumping Reporting Access
A Lindsay resident urged the county to build a mobile app for reporting illegal dumping, saying the current website system is hard for older and Spanish-speaking residents to use. The chair noted the county is already working on an app with IT.
Utility-scale solar farm extension near Ducor
The Avantus solar project got two more years to finish utility power upgrades before its permit deadlines.
Climate Action Plan annual report
The county's CAP update shows population and occupied housing in unincorporated areas declined while cities grew, and that greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled have not increased in ten years — putting the county on track with state targets.
Huff Energy solar facilities near Alpaugh
Two 3-megawatt solar projects totaling 13.22 acres on farmland near Alpaugh were approved with wildlife mitigation measures added after California Fish and Wildlife comments. Power generated will be sold off-site.