(a) Based on available funding, the department shall develop and maintain a written plan on the most appropriate options for detection, exclusion, eradication, control, or management of the higher priority invasive pests on the list prepared pursuant to Section 5261. In determining which invasive pests are the higher priority and in developing the most appropriate options for detection, exclusion, eradication, control, or management, the department shall consult with the United States Department of Agriculture, the University of California, other state agencies and departments, and others in the scientific and research community. In implementing this chapter, the department may undertake or contract for scientific research with the University of California or other institutions of higher learning. The plan shall include both of the following:

(1) A discussion of the state not acting to detect, exclude, eradicate, control, or manage the invasive pest.

(2) The identification and description of the most appropriate options for detection, exclusion, eradication, control, or management of the invasive pest.

(b) If the department determines that aerial application of pesticides would be among the more appropriate responses, the plan shall contain a discussion of all of the following:

(1) The pesticides that would likely be the most appropriate.

(2) The concentrations of those pesticides.

(3) How often pesticide use would be necessary.

(4) A list of each active ingredient and inert material, to the extent that the disclosure of the inert material is permitted by state and federal law.

(5) A summary of up-to-date scientific information on the impacts of the pesticide and its inert materials on all of the following:

(A) Healthy children and adults.

(B) Children and adults with compromised health.

(C) Domestic animals.

(D) Fish and wildlife.

(E) Public health and the environment, including drinking water.

(c) The State Department of Public Health, the Department of Fish and Game, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, the Department of Boating and Waterways, the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the State Water Resources Control Board, and the Department of Pesticide Regulation shall participate in the preparation of the plan in their areas of expertise. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment shall include an analysis of the risks of using the pesticide and its inert material.

(d) In developing the plan, the department shall hold public hearings that shall include a presentation by the department and the opportunity for public comment and establish a process for submittal of public comment. Following the public hearing, the department shall reassess the appropriateness of the response and may revise the response and may hold additional public hearings.

(e) The plan shall include a characterization of the number of and the nature of the public comments received pursuant to subdivision (d).

(f) The department shall make the plan available to the public, including making it available on the department’s Internet Web site.

(Added by Stats. 2008, Ch. 573, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2009.)