For Immediate Release: October 18, 2017, 3:15 pm
Media Contact: Casey Hatcher, 530.518.3508
Visit: ButteCounty.net | Facebook | Twitter @CountyofButte

Oroville, CA – Dr. Andrew Miller, Butte County Public Health Officer, declared a local health emergency in Butte County due to the debris resulting from the LaPorte and Cherokee fires that contains hazardous material in the ash of the burned structures. The debris poses a substantial present and potential hazard to human health and safety and to the environment unless it is addressed and managed. The debris from the LaPorte and Cherokee fires is no different than the debris from the Ponderosa and Wall fires. However, with the earlier fires the County was able to access methods that allowed toxic substances to be removed from properties. These methods are no longer available to the County in the same way they were earlier. Therefore, a local health emergency declaration allows the county to access programs that will remove toxic substances from burned properties so property owners can start the process of rebuilding. 

The California Health and Safety Code provides that the local health officer may declare a local health emergency in the jurisdiction or any area affected by a threat to the public health. The declaration of a local health emergency establishes access to necessary resources to remove materials that create an imminent threat to public health and safety. 

The Butte County Board of Supervisors must review and ratify this declaration within seven days.

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2017, 10:20 a.m.
Contact: Casey Hatcher, 530.518.3508
Visit: ButteCounty.net |Facebook | Twitter @County of Butte

Oroville, CA  - In early August, the County issued a request for proposals to redevelop the Butte County Fairgrounds, which is located in Gridley. The request was based around four goals:

1. Maximize job production;
2. Maximize the benefits to the community;
3. Minimize costs to the County; and 
4. Accommodate the Butte County Fair each year.  

The County received numerous questions about the request for proposals. However, no responsive proposals were received by the September 29th deadline. The County will collapse the solicitation and will not award a contract or development agreement. The County does not intend to issue another request for proposals. 

It remains the County’s goal for the fairgrounds to be the site of the annual Butte County fair with minimal to no costs to the County. The Butte County fairgrounds is an asset for the community and County staff will continue to work with the community and the Fair Board to explore opportunities to improve the facilities and operations.

For Immediate Release: October 16, 2017
Media Contact: Heather MacDonald, 530.538.6344
Visit: ButteCounty.net | Facebook | Twitter @CountyofButte

Oroville, CA - Butte County residents who suffered damage or losses from the LaPorte Fire and the Cherokee Fire can now register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FEMA representatives are available to assist residents in applying for assistance at the Fire Assistance Center (FAC) located at 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, Monday, October 16^th and Tuesday, October 17^th from 8:00am to 4:00pm. FEMA representatives will also be available to assist residents at the Local Assistance Center (LAC) located at 7500 Oro Bangor Highway on Wednesday, October 18^th and Thursday, October 19^th from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Applicants will be asked for the following information:

• Social Security number
• Address of the damaged primary residence
• Description of the damage
• Information about insurance coverage
• A current contact telephone number
• An address where they can receive mail
• Bank account and routing number for direct deposit of funds.

Disaster assistance for homeowners and renters may include grants to help pay for:

• Temporary housing
• Essential home repairs
• Uninsured or underinsured personal property losses
• Other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance

FEMA grants do not have to be repaid. FEMA assistance is nontaxable and will not affect eligibility for Social Security, Medicaid or other federal benefits.

Registering with FEMA is required for federal aid, even if a survivor has registered with another disaster-relief organization, such as the American Red Cross. Survivors should register even if they have insurance.

FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but underinsured applicants may receive help after their claims have been settled.

Residents can also apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 1.800.621.3362 or (TTY) 1.800.462.7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 1.800.621.3362. The toll-free numbers are open seven days a week from 7:00am to 10:00pm

For Immediate Release: October 11, 2017, 2:30 pm
Contact: Casey Hatcher, 530.518.3508
Visit: ButteCounty.net |Facebook | Twitter @County of Butte

OROVILLE, CA – Butte County will open a Fire Notification Hotline for residents impacted by the LaPorte Fire and the Cherokee Fire. Residents who wish to verify if they have lost their home may receive notification and information regarding local resources to assist them in their recovery efforts.  

The purpose of the Notification Hotline is to provide notification of structure loss to residents. The County will open a Local Assistance Center at the Bangor Community Center next Wednesday, October 18th and Thursday, October 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Bangor Community Center is located at 7500 Oro Bangor Highway, Bangor. 

Fire Notification Hotline: 530.538.6824  

Hours of Operation:

• Thursday, October 12th: Noon to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, October 13th: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Partnering Agencies: Butte County Sheriff’s Office and Butte County Department of Employment and Social Services

For Immediate Release: October 6, 2017, 8:40 a.m.
Contact: Tim Snellings, 530.538.7601
Visit: ButteCounty.net |Facebook | Twitter @County of Butte

A warrant to abate (cut down and remove) marijuana plants being grown in violation of Butte County’s medical marijuana cultivation regulation, commonly called “Measure A”, was executed yesterday on Dawn Terrace Drive in Concow by the Butte County Code Enforcement Division and the Butte County Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Unit with assistance from two members of the National Guard. 

The operation resulted in seizure of 1,569 marijuana plants (7,845 pounds) with a street value of more than $7,845,000. No arrests were made by Sheriff's Deputies. The property had an unpermitted building, 8 to 10 abandoned vehicles and piles of junk on the parcel.  

An administrative hearing officer determined 50 square feet of marijuana could be cultivated on the property based on the County's restrictions on cultivation of medical marijuana. As a result of the hearing officer’s decision, the property owner was given 10 days to bring the property into compliance, and when he failed to do so, the County obtained an abatement warrant and abated the nuisance. The County left 50 square feet of marijuana on the property.  

Butte County’s local cultivation ordinance generally allows up to 150 square feet of medical marijuana to be grown by patients or caregivers as long as land use requirements are met that address public health and safety. After voters passed Proposition 64 in 2016, the Board of Supervisors adopted a local ordinance allowing six plants for personal use to be grown inside on less than 5 acres and outdoors on five acres or more. Cultivation sites in violation of local restrictions can be considered a public nuisance and the County can seek an order for the nuisance to be abated, as was the case for the property on Dawn Terrace Drive. Butte County encourages residents cultivating medical marijuana to Stay in the Box or stick to six plants for personal cultivation of adult use marijuana.