Weekly Update

May 30, 2008

Weekly Update is a publication written by the staff at Western United Environmental Services (WUES) to show you how our organization can assist you with your environmental challenges.  Each week you will receive valuable information and helpful tips from the team at WUES. Our purpose is to help you comply with the Waste Discharge Requirements from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.  If you missed any of our publications, you can find them in the “News” section of our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

Congressman Cardoza Speaks on Farm Bill

A huge 50 percent increase in funding of a key conservation program that benefits California dairy producers drew warm words of praise this week from Western United Dairymen President Ray Souza. Speaking at a Modesto press conference held by Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) to discuss the newly approved Farm Bill, Souza said the increase in funds for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) “is valuable for California dairy producers who are facing some of the strictest environmental regulations in the country. This cost-share program will help us level the playing field with producers in other parts of the country who are not facing these types of compliance costs.”

The new Farm Bill, passed recently by Congress after overriding a veto by President Bush,  allocates $1.3 billion in EQIP funding, a 50 percent increase over the previous Farm Bill. “This funding comes at a critical time as we deal with dairy waste discharge requirements,” noted Souza. EQIP cost-share funds help pay for such practices as manure and wastewater handling and storage; land treatment practices; nutrient management; record keeping and feed management.

The bill also contains $150 million for air quality mitigation efforts in agricultural communities with poor air quality.  The new program known as Conservation Innovation Grants will be a boon to California dairy producers in the Central Valley who are facing an array of air quality challenges. “Since California dairy producers have the highest environmental compliance costs in the country, we will be working with Congressman Cardoza, Senator Boxer and others in the California delegation to help ensure that the implementation of this air quality program at USDA maximizes the opportunities it presents for our members,” said Souza.

Souza thanked Cardoza for his efforts on the conservation title. “He worked hard for us in conference committee and deserves credit for never wavering in his desire to see that California dairy producers got a conservation title that will help them find realistic solutions to their environmental challenges,” said Souza.

Reminder

• It is important to NOT forget that in order to meet the July 1st deadline, you need to schedule a Back Flow Prevention inspection.  This inspection must be conducted by a certified technician. All WUES Technicians are certified to conduct this inspection. 

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

JUNE

• Now with just over a month remaining to meet the July 1st deadline, this is a good time to review the calendar to make sure that you are keeping up with all requirements!
  

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

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