February 6, 2009

Weekly Update is a publication written by the staff at Western United Environmental Services (WUES) to show how our organization can assist with your environmental challenges. Each week you will receive valuable information and helpful tips from the team at WUES. Our purpose is to help you comply with the Waste Discharge Requirements from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. If you missed any of our publications, you can find them in the “News” section of our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

Water Board issues irrigation caution

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has sent notices reminding dairy producers that they need to pay careful attention to possible contamination issues if they apply manure or wastewater to cropland that may be used to grow crops intended for human consumption. General Specification B4 of the General WDR Order requires that “Wastes and land application areas shall be managed to prevent contamination of crops grown for human consumption. The term ‘crops grown for human consumption' refers only to crops that will not undergo subsequent processing, which adequately removes potential microbial danger to consumers.” Additionally, the Central Valley Water Board asks that irrigation water (e.g., well water and ditch water) used on crops grown for human consumption not be conveyed through irrigation systems that are also used to convey dairy waste. It asks that if “subsequent processing” is relied upon to prevent microbial contamination, that those practices be carefully reviewed to ensure that consumers are protected. Jan. 30, 2009 WUD Weekly News Update

Cow power, water concerns top issues for dairy

Cow powered milk truck debuts at World Ag Expo – The first U.S. milk tanker truck powered by biomethane made from cow manure will be on display at the World Ag Expo in Tulare Feb. 10-12. The truck is the first tangible result of a public-private partnership which aims to develop a new model for replacing diesel fuel with renewable biomethane. Rob Hilarides of Hilarides Dairy, Lindsay, has converted two of his heavy-duty trucks normally powered by diesel fuel, to run on biomethane, a clean burning fuel, which is produced from cow manure. The truck will be the centerpiece of a Wednesday, Feb. 11 media event at the Ag Expo at which officials from the various project partnership agencies will hoist a milk salute to the accomplishment. U.S. EPA awarded a $400,000 grant in February 2007 to Western United Resource Development for the multi-phase project. The project's benefits include reducing global warming emissions since methane is a potent greenhouse gas; reducing air pollution from diesel emissions; reducing dependence on fossil fuels; reducing infrastructure needs and costs and promoting on-farm energy self sufficiency. The media event begins at 1:30 p.m. at booth number DS-31. Jan. 30, 2009 WUD Weekly News Update

Snow survey predicts third straight drought year – State water officials reported today that the statewide snow pack stands at only 61 percent of average for the winter so far; this likely ensures California will see its third straight drought year. The Department of Water Resources conducted manual snow surveys at several locations in the Sierra Nevada, where the snow pack serves as the state's water bank. Along Highway 50 near Echo Summit, surveyors found 34.6 inches of snow, or 68 percent of average. Conditions are worse in the Northern Sierra, which stands at 49 percent of average. "We may be at the start of the worst California drought in modern history," DWR Director Lester Snow said in a statement. "It's imperative for Californians to conserve water immediately at home and in their businesses." <more> Jan. 29, 2009 Sacramento Bee

Central Valley drought may shift California water politics – An unprecedented shift of San Joaquin River water from farmers in the east Valley to those in the west could further complicate the scramble to save crops from drought this year. At stake is precious San Joaquin River water, which has helped east-side farmers cultivate a multibillion-dollar economy on 1 million acres over the last half century. Many Westside irrigation districts import water from Northern California. But four of them also have historic rights to the river. Under terms of special contracts drafted decades ago but never exercised, the four could move to the front of the line for water from the San Joaquin. <more> Feb. 2, 2009 Merced Sun-Star

Water-related job losses could total 40,000-plus, UC estimates – As prospects for growing many of the state's traditional food crops dry up, the State Board of Food and Agriculture heard sobering reports from farmers, officials, researchers and community leaders on the current water outlook. "We had a 35 percent water allocation to State Water Project contractors last year, but there's a high degree of uncertainty for this year," Lester Snow, state Department of Water Resources director, told the board during a meeting last week in Sacramento. He warned that the project is having a hard time holding on to a 15 percent allocation for 2009. "We're going to fight like hell to get through this drought," he said. "But, if we don't fix the system, we're just going to be back here (in a crisis) every time there's a vagary in the weather pattern or a new species is listed (under the Endangered Species Act)." <more> Jan. 29, 2009 Ag Alert

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