Weekly Update

May 01, 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.

July 1 Deadline Recap

Following the recent action by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board to extend the deadline for certain portions of the WDR, there remains some uncertainty about exactly what is required for the July 1 report. The following short summary should help to clear up some of those uncertainties, but as always your WUES Technician is the best source for answers to specific questions.

• Annual Report
• Documentation of completion of the Interim Facility Modifications
• Nutrient Management Plan, including:

·        Retrofit plan with schedule

·         Land application area information

·        Nutrient budget

• Salinity report

Each of these items has either been a part of past reports, or the subject of ongoing development since the last report, with the exception of the Salinity report. A salinity report form has been prepared by the Regional Water Board and will be mailed to producers this week.  It will also be posted on the CDFA, RB 5 and CDQAP websites.  A provision for referencing the industry-wide salinity report funded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture is available on the report form.  Producers may utilize the form entitled “FORM TO CERTIFY IMPLEMENTATION OF MEASURES TO MINIMIZE SALT IN DAIRY WASTE AT EXISTING MILK COW DAIRIES” to choose from a menu of salt reduction measures and document implementation.

In addition, there are several components of the Waste Management Plan which do not require engineering services, and which can be completed now at little or no cost by either the producer or a WUES Technician. The maps required for the WMP do not require an engineer. They can be prepared by either the producer or a WUES Technician. Also, if an existing flood plain map shows that the facility is outside the floodplain, no engineering is required to comply with flood protection; simply supply the appropriate floodplain map. CDQAP has developed a form to help producers to complete item IV, Production Area Design/Construction. See the CDQAP web site at http://www.cdqa.org to download a copy. Finally, item VI calls for documentation that no cross-connections exist that would allow back-flow; all WUES Technicians are qualified to provide this.

These portions of the WMP can be done now, at little or no cost, providing you with a head-start on the process. Remember, only the WMP development deadline has been extended – the implementation deadline remains in place. Anything that can be done early will make it that much easier to complete the process as scheduled. There may also be some portions of the plan which require engineering services that can be done now or on an incremental basis – it is best to check with your engineering partner to work out a schedule for completing the WMP in a timely way.

Dairy energy management workshop May 27 in Escalon – PG&E will host a Dairy Energy Management workshop on May 27 from 8 am to 1 pm at  Escalon Sportsmen's Club, 25195 E. River Road, Escalon.  The workshop will provide an overview of dairy  energy management options, including energy efficiency technologies and incentives, emerging technologies,  demand response opportunities, water and air-quality and self generation, including various dairy biogas options for  the dairy farmer.  This workshop is designed for dairy owners and operators and dairy designers and vendors, who are interested in developing and promoting integrated energy management strategies for dairies.  To RSVP, please register at www.pge.com/energyclasses  or by calling 209-576-6670.  April 28, 2009 PG&E Press Release

National biomethane summit set for Sacramento June 23 - - Researchers, scientists, practitioners, and stakeholders will convene June 23 in Sacramento for the first National Biomethane Summit. Organizers are hailing the nation's first Low Carbon Fuel Standard adopted by the state air board as an opportunity to discuss biomethane as the only ultra-low carbon transportation fuel. This event will focus on the market potential, available technologies, and funding opportunities that exist with Biomethane. It will be held at Sheraton Grand Hotel. The summit is hosted b ythe California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership. For more information visit the event website at www.biomethanesummit.com   or call  800.993.0302.  April 28, 2009 California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership Notice

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

MAY

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