Addendum to Merced Vision 2030 General Plan Program EIR for the UC Merced Annexation Project

The City of Merced is preparing to update its General Plan under the Merced Vision 2030 framework to accommodate changes related to the UC Merced Annexation Project, specifically addressing the proposed expansion of fumigation activities by Advanced Integrated Pest Management. The company plans to utilize phosphine gas, generated from aluminum phosphide and magnesium phosphide, along with sulfuryl fluoride (Profume), as primary fumigants in its operations, which necessitates an environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. This amendment seeks to evaluate the potential air quality, public health, and safety impacts associated with the increased use of these regulated fumigants within the Merced area, particularly near residential and institutional zones affected by the annexation. Key stakeholders include the City of Merced Planning Department, represented by Kim Espinosa, who is the primary point of contact for the environmental review process; Travis Curtis of Advanced Integrated Pest Management, who is directly involved in proposing the operational changes; and Dylan Casares of the San Joaquin Valley Air Quality District, providing regulatory oversight on emissions and air quality compliance. The project is forecasted to be formally initiated in July 2026, with no set-aside or NAICS code yet assigned, indicating that this is a preliminary planning phase meant to inform future environmental documentation and public engagement. The location of impact is centered in Merced, California, and the outcome will influence land use decisions, permitting requirements, and environmental safeguards linked to pest control practices in the region.