Weekly Update
November 7, 2008
Welcome to Weekly Update, 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. We strive to provide your dairy with quality service, while at the same time saving you money as you face the challenges of compliance. 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.
December 31 Deadline Approaches
The next reporting deadline is fast approaching, less than two full months away. This report is less complex than the Annual Report filed in July, but it remains a critical part of overall compliance. This year there are two parts to the report.
The first part is the Field Risk Assessment. This document is a review of the quality of all runoff from cropland, whether irrigation tailwater, storm runoff or other, to determine if those discharges are in compliance with the WDR. If you find that you are not in compliance, you must include practices in your Nutrient Management Plan that will be developed to bring your runoff into compliance. The Field Risk Assessment remains in your records and is not submitted to the Regional Board, but a certificate of completion must be sent showing that it was done. Remember, the Water Board can and will review your records during any inspections, so you want to be able to show that you have completed the assessment.
The second part is a Preliminary Infrastructure Needs Checklist. This is similar to the Proposed Interim Facility Modification checklist you filed with the July 1 report, but focuses on infrastructure changes needed for compliance with the General Order. This would include such items as lagoons, pumps, pipelines, etc. This is a preliminary list, indicating those changes you think will be needed to manage manure in compliance with the WDR. This list will also assist you in completing the Retrofit Plan and Schedule in the July 1 report. At that time you will need to commit to specific infrastructure projects and provide a schedule for completion; a certification of completion will be required two years later.
The July 1 report for 2009 will be larger and more complex than the report for 2008. The full implementation of the General Order is being phased in over five years so each of the first 5 years will see different requirements being added while maintaining the existing reporting and monitoring requirements. Now is not too soon to begin planning for the July 1 report. An excellent first step is to review all of your records to be sure they are complete and organized. Since they form the basis of all the reports this will speed up the preparation process. Contact your technician if you need assistance with this or any other compliance activity.
CDQAP Workshop Reminder
l Merced County Thursday, November 20, 9-12 at Merced County Cooperative Extension Office, 2145 W. Wardrobe Ave, Merced (please park in lot B – the gravel lot to the east of the building)
l Stanislaus County Tuesday, November 18, 9-12 at Stanislaus County Ag Center, 3800 Cornucopia Way, ABC Room
l Tulare County Wednesday, November 19, 9-12 at Tulare County Cooperative Extension Office, 4437 S. Laspina Street, Tulare
EQIP deadline extended - The EQIP funding application deadline has been extended until December 5, but don’t wait too long to apply. Remember, the funding is for projects that will be implemented in 2009, which could include infrastructure changes listed on your Preliminary Infrastructure Needs Checklist. More information is available at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/2009/index.html.
CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES
NOVEMBER
|
1st of the month |
Photograph Free Board in Ponds |
|
Weekly |
Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds) |
|
Manure Exports |
Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture (require lab analysis) |
|
Harvest |
Yield, lab analysis |
To receive more information on WUES, please contact your WUES Environmental Technician or WUES Office: