Weekly Update
March 20, 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 our update can be found at www.wuenvironmental.com.
Water Board looks at revising deadlines for WDR reports
The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will consider a proposed amendment to Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) at its April 23-24 board meeting. The proposed amendment would change the due date for elements of the Waste Management Plan (WMP) from July 1, 2009 to July 1, 2010. It would also change the due date for the report on the status of modifications being made to implement the WMP from July 1, 2010 to Dec. 31, 2010.
The tentative order can be downloaded at http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/board_decisions/tentative_orders/dairy_gen_order_amendment/dairy_rvsdgo_cov_plus.pdf.
Paul Martin, Western United Dairymen’s Environmental Services Director, said, “We appreciate that the regional board recognizes the extreme economic situation facing the dairy industry and is willing to work with us to manage the costs of the WDR. We are hopeful for a positive vote. It should be noted that this proposed action extends only the timing of submission of the expensive engineering plans of the Waste Management Plan. It does not extend any regulatory compliance dates, and other items remain on schedule for July 1. When evaluating the necessary engineering, it pays to be a ‘smart shopper’ and only contract for those items that cannot be accomplished using less expensive sources. Members are encouraged to start now with some of the less expensive portions of the required planning so engineering resources and the associated costs can be spread over a longer period of time.”
The board is also seeking input from producers ahead of the April meeting, regarding the impact of the proposed amendment. Producers willing to share their views are asked to write a brief letter describing in their own words the difficulties they face in meeting the existing engineering requirements, given the current economic situation.
CDQAP Spring 2009 Workshop Schedule
These intensive 2-hour workshops are focused on 'need to know' information for the July 1 reporting deadline. You must bring your CDQAP binder with you to the class.
Hay prices take a dive – Central San Joaquin Valley alfalfa grower Buddy Mendes knows that when the dairy industry struggles, so does he. Mendes, like many alfalfa growers in the state, is experiencing one of the biggest price drops in recent memory. Last year, premium hay was selling for about $250 a ton. And early prices for premium hay from Imperial Valley, one of the state's leading producers, now are about $100 less a ton. "It could be the biggest drop we have ever seen year to year," said Seth Hoyt, an industry analyst and author of the Hoyt Report, a hay market newsletter. <more> March 15, 2009 Fresno Bee
CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES
MARCH
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1st of the month |
Photograph Free Board in Ponds |
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Each Week |
Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds) |
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Solid Manure applications |
Volume/density OR weight/moisture, and lab analysis twice per year |
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Manure Exports |
Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture |
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Harvest |
Yield, lab analysis |
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Irrigation event |
Volume, source, date |
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Tail water discharge |
Date, time, volume, duration, location, destination, field measurements & lab analysis if within 60 days of manure application. |
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