February 13, 2009

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). We realize you look to us as a reliable source of information on the Waste Discharge Requirements from the Regional Water Board. We strive to provide your dairy with quality service, while at the same time saving you money as you face the challenges in complying with the WDRs. Previous editions of can be found at www.wuenvironmental.com.

EPCRA Reporting Update

Now is the time for dairies with more than 700 mature dairy cows to take the final step in the reporting process under the revised EPCRA Rule from USEPA. A written report needs to be submitted to both the California Emergency Management Agency and to the local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA).

A CERCLA-EPCRA information sheet provided by the National Milk Producers Federation and revised by Western United Dairymen to be California specific is posted on the WUD website. WUD has consulted with local EPA officials and a greatly simplified reporting form and ammonia emissions estimator worksheet are provided on our website for your use. Also included are county by county pre-addressed report cover letters. We recommend that you send these reports by certified mail, and record the tracking information. Note that the estimator worksheet does not need to be submitted. Copies of all documents, the estimator worksheet, and the returned certified mail receipt should be retained in your files. The information and forms may be found at www.westernuniteddairymen.com/epcrarule.htm.

Supply management and plant capacity – Supply management and plant capacity will be the focus of a dairy industry meeting to be held on Thursday, February 19, at the Doubletree Hotel, Modesto. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. and will be moderated by John Vlahos, an attorney with extensive background in California’s dairy regulatory and legislative history. Western United Dairymen is inviting all California dairy producers and processors to participate in a series of three industry-wide meetings organized to take an in-depth look at issues identified by the industry last December. The remaining two meetings will be on Wednesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 31. The March 18 session will look at federal milk marketing orders (FMMO) and the competitiveness of California, particularly with respect to out-of-state milk. Also under consideration will be the stability of the California system. The March 31 session will focus on innovation and the need to encourage growth in value-added products that bring higher returns for producers by meeting domestic and global demand. The discussion will include a look at the global marketplace and how California can align itself to best meet world demand. All sessions begin at 10 a.m. at the Modesto Doubletree, 1150 9^th Street in Modesto.

WUES to speak at WUD Convention – WUES will be presenting at the WUD Convention March 4-6 at the Doubletree Hotel in Rohnert Park. On March 4 from 3:20 – 4:00 in the Bodega Room, WUES staff will be presenting an overview of WUES services followed by a producer Q & A session. WUES Environmental Technicians will be on hand to answer your questions.

Spring Calendar is just around the corner – We still have winter rain and temperatures that dip toward chilly, but Spring is definitely in the air. As you begin to prepare your equipment for the coming harvest season, take a moment to consider the related sampling and record keeping that will also be occurring. Winter crops will need to be sampled, irrigation water will need to be sampled, and any tail-water discharges will need to be sampled. The March Calendar will reflect these changes, but now is a great time to start planning for them.

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

FEBRUARY

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