Weekly Update Oct. 23, 2009

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Our goal is to provide you with the latest information about the WDRs from the water board and how our organization can help you with your environmental challenges. All previous publications of the Weekly Update can be found in the news section on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

In late October and early November, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District will be holding a series of workshops to help farmers determine if they qualify as a significant polluter. Farmers in the eight-county air district have until January 2010 to replace older, high polluting diesel engines greater than 50 horsepower with EPA-certified Tier 3 or Tier 4 engines. The rule is the latest requirement in complying with District Rule 4702, which regulates air pollution emissions from agriculture engines not used in tractors or farm implements, such as irrigation pump engines. The rule will apply statewide beginning in January 2011 under parallel rules promulgated by the state Air Resources Board.

After January, San Joaquin Valley growers face more onerous permitting requirements if they plan to install or modify agriculture engines, depending on whether or not they quality as a “significant polluter.” The classification is based on NOx and VOC emissions determined by type and number of internal combustion motors and hours of operation. Estimates indicate that farmers with as few as two or three irrigation pump motors greater than 50 horsepower are likely to exceed the limit that allows them to register under the district’s PEER exemption program. Those farmers 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 Central Valley to help growers determine if their operations will require a permit or PEER registration. Farmers should bring information on the number of internal combustion engines in their operation, hours of operation, and the horsepower of each engine to the workshop.

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

Congressman Cardoza solar legislation seeks to aid agriculture, air pollution

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Solar Technology Roadmap Act this week establishing a short-and long-term strategy for solar research and technology developments in the United States. Included in the legislation was an amendment introduced by Congressman Dennis Cardoza that aims to reduce agriculture costs and reduce air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley. The Solar Technology Roadmap Act directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct a program of research, development, and demonstration of solar technology. The bill aims to establish guidance on energy security, U.S. competitiveness, climate change mitigation and energy diversification. <more> Oct. 22, 2009 Rep. Cardoza Press Release

In recent years, consumers have become more and more interested in the environmental impact made by their favorite foods during its journey from farm to table. To increase understanding of sustainable dairy food operations, the International Dairy Foods Association’s Worldwide Food Expo is putting environmental sustainability at the forefront of this year’s four-day conference. The Worldwide Food Expo, held at McCormick Place in Chicago from October 28th to October 31st, will host a Sustainability Pavilion, which will showcase suppliers with services and products geared specifically to offer sustainable solutions to the dairy industry. Highlighting the latest innovations and trends, the Pavilion and a series of educational sessions will help dairy executives, engineers, buyers and other key personnel make operational decisions that are good for their plants and our planet. <more> Oct. 22, 2009 Indiana Prairie Farmer

1^st 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.

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