October 10, 2008

Weekly Update is a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES), designed to bring you valuable information and helpful tips for compliance with the Waste Discharge Requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. Each week you will find features on compliance issues, regulatory changes or common questions, as well as workshop notices and introductions to the WUES technicians. If you have missed any of our past issues, they can be found on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com

EQIP Clarifications

In recent weeks there has been a great deal of confusion about EQIP, the Environmental Quality Improvement Program administered by the National Resource Conservation Service. What is it? What does it cover? How do I apply? How much will I get? Will it help defray the cost of WDR compliance? What is the deadline? For answer these and other questions, we turned to Christopher Hartley, Ph.D., the District Conservationist for Stanislaus County.

According to Hartley, EQIP is and will continue to be a major compliance partner for dairymen throughout the state. The program can assist with a variety of activities ranging from management practices to major infrastructure projects. However, there are several key things to keep in mind about the program. First, EQIP is a cost-share program, which means that it will pay some but not all of the cost for approved projects. In Stanislaus County, EQIP can pay up to 50% of the cost of qualifying projects for most producers, subject to available funding. Certain groups may qualify for a higher share, but in all cases the producer must pay the balance. There is also a cap on the aggregate total of EQIP funding a single producer can receive no matter how many qualifying projects he or she may have.

Second, it is an application process, which means that no one is guaranteed to be funded. A producer must meet  eligibility criteria including total income, past irrigation practices, and a clearly established environmental benefit, in order to apply. Project applications are then ranked in accordance with local established objectives, evaluated, and funded in rank order.

Third, although there is often a good deal of overlap between EQIP projects and WDR compliance, they are not the same thing. For example, if a producer applies for funding to develop a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, documents prepared for WDR compliance will be consulted during the preparation of the CNMP but they will not reduce the cost of the CNMP nor will they be incorporated verbatim into the CNMP. Conversely, if a producer first receives assistance from NRCS in preparation of a CNMP, he or she will still need to submit the paperwork for WDR compliance. However, certain parts of the CNMP may meet regulatory requirements.

The best thing to do, according to Hartley, is to contact your local NRCS field office and speak with an EQIP representative. They will be able to answer specific questions about the program and provide assistance with the application process. The application deadline for projects to be funded in 2009 is October 31, 2008.

Water workshops aimed at dairies - A series of workshops designed to help Central Valley dairy producers comply with state water quality regulations will begin Oct. 14 and run through Nov. 5. The free workshops are sponsored by the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program. The workshops will focus on the Waste Discharge Requirements in place since May 2007. Workshop topics will include an overview of the reports that are due in December, covering the field risk assessment and infrastructure checklist. The sessions will also cover the importance of good sampling procedures, how leaching impacts nutrient management plan options, and steps to take now to make sure the next annual report process goes smoothly. <more> Oct. 9, 2008 Capital Pres

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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