April 16, 2010

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Our goal is to provide you with breaking coverage of environmentally related diary news. We provide the latest information about the WDRs from the water board and information regarding your Waste Management Plan. We endeavor is to assist you with your environmental concerns and any challenges along the way. All previous publications of the Weekly Update can be found in the newsletters section on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

U.S. EPA tightens air quality rules for Central Valley

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday approved a revised “New Source Review” (NSR) rule that requires new or modified facilities in the San Joaquin Valley to comply with federal permitting control and emissions offset requirements. “Air quality in the San Joaquin Valley is consistently among the worst in the nation,” says Deborah Jordan, director of the air division for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “New and modified facilities will now be subject to the most stringent requirements, which will contribute to the health of our communities,” she says. Western United Dairymen has been closely monitoring development of this rule and offering its comments, said Paul Martin, WUD’s environmental services director. “It clarifies the permitting status of our dairy facilities as we go forward,” he said.  <more> April 13, 2010 Central Valley Business Times

Westside water allocation up to 30%

Federal officials, citing improved water conditions, bumped up the allocation of irrigation water for westside farmers to 30% today, up from 25% announced last month. And Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar renewed his pledge to find another 8% to 10% for drought-stricken west San Joaquin Valley farmers. Salazar said he expects to secure another 150,000 to 200,000 acre-feet of water for westside growers, who have battled three dry years and fallowed thousands of acres. Last month, federal officials raised the water forecast from 5% to 25% of the amount that west San Joaquin Valley growers are allowed from the Central Valley Project. Westlands Water District officials said the increase in water could prompt some growers to plant additional acres of row crops. But the real benefit may come in reducing the farmers' heavy pumping from wells. "We know that we have used them to extreme excess," said Sarah Woolf, Westlands' spokeswoman. "And this will help relieve that." Water district agencies, farmers and elected officials have been applying pressure on the Obama administration for months to provide growers with more water. Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, said he was satisfied with increase. "This announcement is proof that we are winning our fight for water," Costa said. "Every additional drop we secure puts people back to work and helps get our economy going again. Water is the lifeblood for our farmers, workers, Latino community and entire Valley." <more> April 15, 2010 Fresno Bee

Court of Appeal upholds water ruling against farmers

The California Water Resources Control Board has the power to establish discharge limits for salt and boron into the San Joaquin River and to require studies about the oxygen demand in the Stockton Ship Channel, which would then be used to set a standard for dissolved oxygen in the channel, the Third District Court of Appeal has ruled. The first part of the decision concerns high levels of salt and boron in a 130-mile stretch from Mendota Dam (west of Fresno) to Vernalis (near Tracy), a stretch referred to as the Lower San Joaquin River. The second part involves low levels of dissolved oxygen in Stockton’s Deep Water Ship Channel. <more> April 14, 2010 Central Valley Business Times

Reps. Cardoza and Costa Announce Funding for Intertie Project

Congressmen Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) and Jim Costa (D-Fresno) have announced $20.7 million for the Intertie project that will link the Delta-Mendota Canal to the California Aqueduct. The project will deliver water to San Joaquin Valley farmers who are in the most need of assistance during the water supply crisis. The funds are provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and are expected to provide the required funding to complete the project. “As I have said many times, we need to get the pumps turned on and get water to our farmers,” said Congressman Cardoza. “Until we obtain long-term solutions to this regulatory drought, we must also pursue all practical means of delivering irrigation water to those in need. I have worked hard over the past year to get the Intertie built and I am pleased to see this real-world solution finally bearing fruit.” <more> April 13, 2010 Cardoza Press Release  

WUD launches Facebook page

Western United Dairymen has launched a Fan Page on Facebook as part of its expanding efforts to use social media to tell the many stories of California's dairy families. In its initial phase, the page will link to timely news items of interest to California dairy families and promote the many events and activities sponsored and promoted by WUD. "This page is an important part of our outreach activities," explained WUD Communications Director Mark Looker. "Our initial focus will be on getting the Fan Page established by signing up WUD members and supporters as fans, and then reaching out to the broader consumer audiences. We hope the page can be a valuable resource for our members who want to share the positive news about hard working families that provide a safe, nutritious product for consumers." WUD members who are already on Facebook can sign up by clicking on the attached Facebook logo or by typing Western United Dairymen into Facebook's search window. To join Facebook, simply go to www.facebook.com and follow the instructions. There is no cost to join.  

April 2010 CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

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