BACKGROUND
The California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) proposes to establish a new railway in the
San Joaquin [Valley]. The new rail alignment is proposed to be generally along existing
transportation corridors but will impact farmland, where such land lies between urban and
commercial [parcels] in the valley by either being adjacent to or on existing farmland where the
route leaves an existing corridor. Most, if not all, of the Valley counties through which the
railway is proposed to travel have Right-To-Farm Ordinances which make reference to
“customary and/or traditional” agricultural practices. The proposed project has raised questions
and concerns regarding its impact on many established and customary agricultural practices and
consequent potential imposition of new regulatory restrictions. Customary agricultural practices
found in the Valley are as varied as is the diversity of agricultural products and commodities
produced. The San Joaquin Valley as a natural resource is unique to the state, the nation, and
arguably the world by the quality and quantity in the diversity of its agriculture.
The CHSRA has created a “technical” agricultural working group to assist the CHSRA in
responding to the more technically oriented questions and concerns that have been asked
regarding impacts to agriculture resulting from activities during the construction phase and the
daily operation of the High Speed Train. The agricultural working group membership is
comprised of members in possession of technical expertise in various categories of agriculture
activities and infrastructure.