Article 1. Authority of California Food And Agricultural Code >> Division 4. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 6. >> Article 1.

Any premises, plants, conveyances or things which are infected or infested with any pest, or premises where any pest is found, are a public nuisance, and shall be prosecuted as such in all actions and proceedings. All remedies which are given by law for the prevention and abatement of a nuisance apply to such a public nuisance.

It is unlawful for any person to maintain such a public nuisance. The remedies which are provided by this article are in addition to any other remedy by way of abatement which is provided in this division.

If, after service of notice pursuant to this chapter a public nuisance is not abated within the time which is specified in the notice, the commissioner shall abate the nuisance by eradicating, controlling, or destroying the pest.

(a) If, after service of the notice pursuant to this chapter, the commissioner determines that the nuisance constitutes an immediate hazard to adjoining or nearby property, and that great or irreparable injury would result from delay until expiration of the time required by law for constructive notice, he or she may forthwith abate the nuisance by eradicating, controlling, or destroying the pest.
  (b) For purposes of this section, cotton, which is being produced in violation of a host-free period declared pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 5781) of Chapter 8 of this part, is a nuisance.
  (c) The commissioner shall take summary abatement action against any cotton found in violation of a planting date established as part of a host-free period. The person producing the cotton shall be given not more than 48 hours to commence abatement of the nuisance and shall be given not more than five days to complete abatement.
  (d) If the person producing the cotton fails to commence and complete abatement within the time specified by the commissioner pursuant to subdivision (c), the commissioner shall abate the nuisance by disking to a depth of six inches. The person who produced the cotton shall pay 150% of all costs associated with the commissioner's abatement of the nuisance.
  (e) The commissioner may request that the district attorney assist him or her in expediting summary abatements pursuant to this section.

The board of supervisors of any county may authorize the commissioner to contract with any state or federal agency, public corporation for municipal purposes, or person that owns, controls, or administers within the county any property or premises which are infected or infested with any pest, to eradicate, destroy, or control it on such property or premises. The contract shall not impose any cost or obligation on the county, unless the imposition of the cost or obligation upon the county is authorized by the board of supervisors.