Weekly Update

March 28, 2008

Welcome to the fifth addition of the weekly update a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Our goal is to provide you with the latest information about WUES and how our organization can help you with your environmental challenges.  If you have any questions or suggestions about what you would like to see in this publication, please let us know.

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

APRIL

It is important to attend the CDQAP’s WDR workshops, even if you are having a consultant do the work because you, as a producer, need to know what is going on with your dairy.

WDR workshops on the next phase of requirements began on March 4, and run through April 17.

Bring your CDQAP binder to class.

Time is running out for these workshops, so make sure you take advantage of this opportunity and attend.  You will benefit greatly from it! 

WDR SPRING WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Kern County (1 workshop) Tuesday, April 1, 9:00-12:00 County Extension, 1031 S. Mt Vernon Ave, Bakersfield

Fresno County (2 workshops) Wednesday, April 2, 9:30-12:30 and 1:30-4:30 Memorial Hall, 3085 W. Mount Whitney, Riverdale

Stanislaus County Thursday, April 3, 9:30-12:30 Ag Center, ABC Room, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto

Kings County Wednesday, April 16, 1:30-4:30 County Extension, 680 N. Campus Drive, Hanford

Merced County Thursday, April 17, 9:30-12:30 County Extension, 2145 W. Wardrobe Avenue, Merced

The spring workshops will help producers understand how to meet the next round of requirements, including:

By May 3, all Central Valley dairy producers must begin nutrient sampling, including sampling lagoon water, manure, plant tissue and irrigation water.

By July 1, producers must submit their first annual report, which includes:

• An updated Dairy Facility Assessment (an update to the PDFA submitted in December)

• Calendar 2007 manure tracking manifests, and

•  Well and tile drain testing results, and results from any 2007 discharge testing.

Dairy producers also need to complete the first stage of their nutrient management plan, including:

• Identifying their land application area (updated, more detailed maps),

• Soil, water and plant tissue testing results,

• Process wastewater written agreements, and operators must submit a “statement of completion”

      regarding the above.

Producers are also required to finish the first stage of their waste management plan as follows:

•  Updated map,

• Operation and maintenance plan,

• Identification of backflow problems,

• Proposed interim facility modifications for water storage balance, and

• Proposed interim facility modification for nitrogen balance.

WUES can help you with

Most tasks in complying with the WDR you can do on your own, and we encourage you to do as much as you feel comfortable with.  We are happy to “walk through” tasks with you the first few times until you are comfortable with doing them on your own.  Our Environmental Technicians are available to help you with any or all tasks, and everything in between.  Our purpose is to provide quality service to our clients in complying with the WDR, while saving you money in the process.

Reminders

• If you have not started your maps for the nutrient management plan or your waste management plan, contact your environmental tech to do so. By starting these maps early, it will help answer a lot of the questions that will be asked later on through the process.
• If exporting manure be sure to make sure you record; volume % moisture, and density.
• Keep track of amount of water entering each field.
• For soil sampling remember to test between crops.

To receive more information on WUES please contact your WUES Environmental Technician or WUES Office:

• Phone (209) 238-3818
• Fax (209) 238-3808
• Email: info@wuenvironmental.com
• www.wuenvironmental.com