Representing the 58th District

Thank you for visiting my website. It is continuously updated so that you can stay informed about my activities and the issues facing us as Californians.

It is an honor to serve in the public interest and I look forward to working with you to improve the lives of all Californians. Please don't hesitate to contact me or my staff should you have any questions or if you need assistance with state issues.

Majority Leader Charles M. Calderon

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently confirmed the state's first detection of the citrus disease known as Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening. The infected tree was found in a residential neighborhood in the Hacienda Heights area, where agricultural officials removed the tree and transported it for analysis and safe disposal.

After removing the infected tree, the CDFA and USDA are conducting treatment of citrus trees within 800 meters of the location of the infected tree. Infested areas will be quarantined to limit the spread of this disease and to restrict the removal of all citrus trees and similar plants in the area. THE CDFA and USDA strongly advise the residents of quarantine areas to NOT remove or share citrus fruit, trees or related plant material.

HLB does not pose a threat to humans or animals. However, it is a bacterial disease that attacks the vascular system of citrus and closely related plants. The Asian citrus psyllid, the insect known to spread the bacteria, feeds on citrus trees and similar plants. Symptoms of HLB include yellow shoots, blotchy leaf mottle, small lopsided fruit and juice with bitter flavor. Once a tree is infected, it stops producing fruit and dies within a few years. To prevent further spread of the disease, the infected tree or plant must be removed and destroyed.

If residents believe they have seen evidence of HLB in their backyard or neighborhoods, they are urged to please call CDFA's toll-free pest hotline at 1-800-491-1899.

For more information on the HLB and Asian citrus psyllid, the following are useful websites:

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/acp/
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/InteriorExclusion/acp_quarantine.html
http://www.californiacitrusthreat.com
http://www.saveourcitrus.org

I would like to thank all the residents for their patience and cooperation. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact my district office at (562) 692-5858.