Weekly Update June 5, 2009

June 5, 2009

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.

July 1, 2009 Deadline is Approaching Quickly

With the July 1 deadline only a few weeks away, there are dairies that have been holding off on starting their July 1 reports. We understand the difficult times dairies are experiencing and we’re here to help. We encourage you to not let this deadline pass without submitting the required reports. The money it will cost your dairy to comply with the WDR’s is small in comparison to the fines that could be imposed. At that point, you will still need to complete the necessary requirements, with less time to complete any required work, and then have the added expense of potential fines also.

In addition, the Water Board will be ranking dairies for priority for installing monitoring wells. One of the factors in the priority is whether or not the Nutrient Management Plan is completed by July 1, 2009.

We recognize the financial difficulties of the California dairy industry, and we’re committed to working with producers during this time. Please call our office and allow us to work with you.

Proposal Would Keep WDR Fees the Same Next Year

A proposal by state water board staff would keep fees for Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) at the current level for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. The staff proposal will be heard by the California Water Resources Control Board at its next board meeting. WDR fees saw a considerable rise last year, so keeping the fees at the same level would be welcome news for dairy producers who are dealing with low milk prices.

Gov. Schwarzenegger Declares June 2009 Real California Milk Month -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed June 2009 as “Real California Milk Month” in the state of California. The proclamation honors the efforts of California's 1,950 dairy farmers and the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) to keep the state's dairy industry healthy and strong. This proclamation coincides with the CMAB's 40th anniversary celebration and National Dairy Month. California is the leading milk producer in the United States, accounting for one-fifth of the nation's supply. With the current economic climate, Governor Schwarzenegger's proclamation says, “The dairy industry plays a significant role in strengthening California's economy.” Now more than ever the governor encourages Californians to buy local milk and dairy products to support the nearly 2,000 dairy families that work hard to make economic contributions to the state. <more> June 2, 2009 California Milk Advisory Board

1:30 p.m. – Riverside County Farm Bureau, 21160 Box Springs Rd., Ste. 102, Moreno Valley

To receive more information on WUES, please contact your WUES Environmental Technician or WUES Office:

1^st of the month	Photograph Free Board in Ponds
Each month	Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds)
Process wastewater application	Visual inspections, volume, date, field & lab analysis
Solid manure application	Volume/density OR weight/moisture, and lab analysis 2 x per year
Manure Exports	Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture
Harvest	Yield, lab analysis
Irrigation event	Volume, source and date
Tail water discharge	Date, time, volume, duration, location, source, destination, field measurements & lab analysis if within 60 days of a manure application