April 24, 2009

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Our goal is to provide you with the latest information about the WDRs from the water board and how our organization can help you with your environmental challenges. All previous publications of the Weekly Update can be found in the news section on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

Valley water board moves back filing date for waste management plan

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board this week took action to extend for one year until July 2010 a specific portion of the dairy Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR).  But both water officials and representatives of Western United Dairymen were quick to note that the action does not remove any of the compliance requirements under the WDR.

The adopted amendment changes the filing date for the portion of the Waste Management Plan (WMP) due July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010. It also changes the due date for the status report on necessary modifications from July 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010. It does not postpone the entire July 1, 2009 reporting requirements. The balance of the July 1 report, an annual report, nutrient management plan, and salinity report, will be required on time. Producers are encouraged to continue working toward completion of all other elements of that report.

The final deadline for implementation of improvements identified in the Waste Management Plan will not be affected by the amendment. Producers are urged to work with their WUES technicians and engineering partners on a plan that will allow for final completion in a reasonable time frame.

“We appreciate the regional board’s understanding of the current economic realities of dairy farming.  They have given us some badly needed breathing room.   However, producers should not wait until the last minute to complete their engineering plans,” pointed out Paul Martin, WUD’s director of environmental services. “Engineering resources are limited, and these plans require a lot of time to develop.  It will be important to avoid a last minute crunch.”

It should be noted that several items in the WMP can be done now by producers themselves or by WUES technicians as a means to get started and help keep costs down.  Producers are urged to contact their Western United Environmental Services technician for assistance.

ACRE Program Enrollment Opens on April 27 – "The Average Crop Revenue Election program is an innovative alternative to the traditional farm safety net," Vilsack said. "This new option presents an opportunity for producers to review both programs and decide which one will work best for their operation." Producers have until Aug.14, 2009, to make their decision for the 2009 crop. USDA will not accept any late-filed applications. Commodities eligible for ACRE payments are wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, upland cotton, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, peanuts, soybeans, sunflower seed, canola, flaxseed, safflower, mustard seed, rapeseed, sesame seed, crambe, dry peas, lentils, small chickpeas and large chickpeas. <more> April 9, 2009 USDA Press Release

30-Day Window for Special Drought Initiative from USDA-NRCS – Farmers and ranchers in designated counties with extreme or severe drought conditions may apply for assistance from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service in California until May 8, 2009. During the special 30-day sign up, NRCS will take applications for $2 million available for practices designed to protect soil and air quality in areas of fallowed fields, keep orchard trees alive, and protect natural resources on ranch and pasture land. Due to the extraordinary conditions NRCS will pay a higher-than-normal 75 percent cost share rate. The $2 million is being made available in the following counties: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benito, San Joaquin, San Luis, Santa Clara, Shasta, Sierra, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba. More information on the drought, conservation practices that may mitigate drought-related problems, and payment rates for the current drought initiative are available at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov/features/cadrought.html or by contacting your local NRCS office. April 7, 2009 NRCS Press Release

Air Resources Board moves to cut carbon use - - California's Air Resources Board on Thursday approved a first-in-the-world regulation to minimize the amount of carbon in fuel, putting California on the cutting edge of promoting alternative fuels in a bid to combat global warming. The regulation will require fuel manufacturers to cut the so-called carbon intensity of fuels sold in the state 10 percent by 2020 - lowering the amount of greenhouse gases released for every unit of energy produced. If the regulation's goal is reached, it will account for 10 percent of the state's overall goal for reducing greenhouse gases by 2020. Air board Chairwoman Mary Nichols said the rule, called the low carbon fuel standard, will create a global framework for automotive fuels. The board approved the proposal, 9-1. "Now, finally, we are creating the opportunity for other types of transportation fuels to compete on a level playing field," Nichols said. <more> April 24, 2009 SF Chronicle

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

APRIL

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