November 28, 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.

Water Board Issues Notices

The CVRWQCB has begun issuing notices to dairies that filed incomplete Annual Updates, or whose update was missing required information. The Fresno office has already begun to issue the notices, and the Sacramento office expects to begin issuing them soon. So far these notices are dealing with relatively minor issues, and are NOT Notices of Noncompliance. According to the notices we are aware of so far, it is often a case of a missing lab report or the failure to provide a compiled list of well test results. If you receive such a notice, contact your WUES technician. They can help you evaluate the notice, determine its severity, and assist you with providing the necessary documentation to the RWB.

WUD district director nominations sought

 - The nomination period for those interested in serving on Western United Dairymen’s board of directors is now open until Friday, December 5. Nominees must be WUD members in good standing and have the signed support of five WUD members from the same district in which they are seeking election. Nomination forms are included with this mailing of the Weekly Update and they are available through local WUD field representatives.

Two seats up for election where the incumbent is not eligible for re-election:

  • Jack Hamm (District 4) representing San Joaquin and Contra Costa counties.

  • District 12, currently vacant, encompasses San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.

The following directors are eligible for re-election this year:

  •  Domenic Carinalli (District 3) representing Lake, Marin, Mendocino and Sonoma counties.

  •  Bill Hoekstra (District 5) representing Stanislaus County.

  •  Anselmo Souza (District 6) representing Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara counties.

  •  Tom Mendes (District 7) representing Fresno County has announced that he will not run.

  •  Joseph Airoso (District 8) representing Tulare County.

Diesel truck rules nearing adoption; will affect dairy vehicles - - The California Air Resources Board at its Dec. 11 meeting is expected to adopt regulations that will clean up emissions from the estimated one million heavy-duty diesel trucks that operate in California beginning in 2010.  Agricultural vehicles are largely exempt from the rule based on their mileage. There are two categories of exemption. The limited mileage ag vehicle exemption expires Jan. 1, 2017. The low-mileage ag vehicles are exempt until Jan. 1, 2023. The number of exempt vehicles in each category is capped at the number owned as of Jan. 1, 2009.  The state is offering truck owners more than a billion dollars in funding opportunities to help with the cost of the proposed diesel rule. Funding options include Carl Moyer grants, which are designated for early or surplus compliance with diesel regulations; Proposition 1B funds, for air quality improvements related to goods movement; and AB 118, which establishes a low-cost truck loan program to help pay for early compliance with the truck rule. The complete rule is available from the ARB website by clicking here.  Nov. 21, 2008 WUD Weekly News Update 

Dec. 1 deadline to purchase disaster aid program coverage - - Producers have until Dec. 1 to purchase the Farm Service Agency’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for fall and most winter planted crops, including grazed land and hay crops.  Failure to purchase the NAP coverage for noninsurable crops could result in ineligibility for FSA disaster programs such as SURE, the Livestock Forage Assistance Program, Tree Assistance Program, and the Emergency Assistance Program for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm Raised Fish. Producers who already have coverage on 2008 NAP crops may choose to continue coverage on the same crop or crops for 2009, if the applicable service fee is submitted by the application closing date. The Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) was designed to reduce financial losses that occur when natural disasters cause a catastrophic loss of production or prevented planting of an eligible crop by providing coverage equivalent to catastrophic (CAT) insurance. Statute limits NAP to each commercial crop or agricultural commodity, except livestock, for which CAT is not available.  Nov. 21, 2008 FSA Press Release

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

NOVEMBER

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