Weekly Update
October 9, 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.
Workshops explain new air district ag motor rules
Growers in the eight-county San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District have until Jan. 2010 to replace older, high polluting diesel engines greater than 50 hp to EPA-certified Tier 3 or Tier 4 engines. The rule is the latest requirement in complying with District Rule 4702, which regulates air pollution emission from ag engines not used in tractors or ag implements, such as irrigation pump engines. The rule will apply statewide beginning in Jan. 2011 under parallel rules by the State Air Board.
In addition, San Joaquin Valley growers after January face more onerous permitting requirements if they plan to install or modify ag engines, depending on whether or not they quality as a “significant polluter.” The District in late October and early November is holding a series of workshops to help growers determine if they qualify as a significant polluter.
The classification is based on NOx and VOC emissions determined by type and number of internal combustion motor and hours of operation. Estimates indicate growers with as few as two or three irrigation pump motors greater than 50 hp are likely to exceed the limit that allows them to register under the District’s PEER exemption program. Those growers will instead need an “Authority to Construct” permit, which requires significantly more process and paperwork.
The Air District will hold a number of workshops throughout the Valley to help growers determine if their operations will require a permit or PEER registration at the following dates and locations:
San Joaquin County
Tuesday, 10/27 9 a.m.
San Joaquin County Farm Bureau, 3290 N. Ad Art Rd., Stockton
Stanislaus County
Tuesday 10/27 1:30 p.m.
Stanislaus Ag Center, 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto
Merced County
Tuesday 10/27 6 p.m.
Merced County Farm Bureau, 646 S. Hwy. 59, Merced
Madera County
Thursday 10/29 9 a.m.
Van Alan Hall Madera Fairgrounds, 1850 W. Cleveland Ave., Madera
Fresno County
Thursday 10/29 1:30 p.m.
Kerman Community Center, 15101 W. Kearney Blvd., Kerman
Fresno County
Tuesday 11/3 1:30 p.m.
Reedley Community Center Redwood Room, 100 N. East Ave., Reedley
Tulare County
Tuesday 11/3 9 a.m.
Tulare County Farm Bureau, 737 N. Ben Maddox Way, Visalia
Kern County
Wednesday 11/4 9 a.m.
UC Cooperative Extension Conf. Room, 1031 S. Mt. Vernon, Bakersfield
Kings County
Wednesday 11/4 1:30 p.m.
Kings County Fairgrounds Rose Room, 801 S. 10th Ave., Hanford
Growers should bring information on number of internal combustion engines in their operation, hours of operation, horsepower of each engine to the workshop.
Governor signs ban on cow tail docking
Earlier this year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger seized on a measure to end the practice of docking cow tails as an example of frivolous laws being considered by legislators in the height of a budget crisis. He slammed spending time debating the measure as "inexcusable" press conference and ridiculed it on his always buzzing Twitter feed. But while the bill, SB 135, wasn't considered worthy of debate a few months ago, it was deemed worthy of the "animal lover" governor's signature in the final hours of the bill signing period. <more> Oct. 12, 2009 Sacramento Bee
Labor workshop Oct. 22 in Modesto
A labor workshop focusing on wage and hour requirements will be held on Thursday, October 22, at the Stanislaus County Farm Bureau office, 1201 L Street, Modesto, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Labor attorney Anthony Raimondo will provide the latest information on wage and hour requirements and answer questions about other labor issues. For more information, contact Western United Dairymen field representative Darrin Soares at (209) 535-7881.
CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES
OCTOBER
|
1st of the month |
Photograph Free Board in Ponds |
|
Weekly |
Visual inspection (production and waste storage areas; ponds) |
|
Process wastewater application |
Visual inspections, volume, date |
|
Solid Manure applications |
Volume/density OR weight/moisture |
|
Manure Exports |
Measure volume/density OR weight/moisture (require lab analysis) |
|
Harvest |
Yield, lab analysis |
|
Irrigation event |
Volume, source, date |
|
Tail water discharge |
Date, time, volume, duration, location, destination, field measurements & lab analysis if within 60 days of manure application. |
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