April 9, 2010

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES). Striving to ensure you have the most current information for compliance with the Waste Discharge Requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board we feature articles on compliance issues, regulatory changes and endeavor to answer environmental related questions. All previous publications of the Weekly Update can be found in the News section on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

July 1, 2010 deadline for Waste Discharge Requirements

The next deadline of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) will be among the most demanding so far. To ensure we are able to assist our clients in meeting this deadline, your required data must be submitted to Western United Environment Services (WUES) no later than May 1, 2010.  After this date, we cannot guarantee meeting the July 1, 2010 deadline, and you will be assisted on a first come, first served basis.  In addition to submitting annual reports, you will also be required to prepare and submit engineered Waste Management Plans (WMP). We want to remind you of the importance of contracting with an engineer for your WMP. We have engineers that have partnered with us to provide this service to our clients at a reduced rate.  You can contact your Environmental Services Technician or WUES office for a list of these preferred providers.  April 8, 2010 WUES

Irrigation water measuring workshop set for Aril 13 in Tulare

A workshop providing an overview of techniques for measuring irrigation water when liquid manure is applied will be held Tuesday, April 13 in Tulare. The workshop is targeted to dairy owner/operators, their employees, consultants and other dairy professionals.  One of the current requirements facing Valley dairies is to establish and implement a nutrient budget targeting nitrogen application rates at not more than 1.4 times the nitrogen removal rates of crops. One of the key steps to implement the nutrient budget is to understand how to measure the amount of water applied during each irrigation at each field. Measuring the application of liquid manure may require use of non-propeller flow meters. Another key step is to understand how to use flow data.  Over the last 15 years, UC Cooperative Extension Irrigation Specialist Dr. Larry Schwankl has researched various methods to measure liquid manure application. This class will showcase part of a new curriculum developed by Dr. Schwankl on irrigation water management. Two of the leading manufacturers of flow meters will have representatives present to answer questions after the formal presentation. The workshop is free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not required. The session will be an opportunity to look at flow meters and talk with company representatives. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. until noon at the Tulare County Agriculture Center Auditorium, 4437 S. Laspina Street.  April 8, 2010 CDQAP Notice

Hearing set for long-range water transfers bill

A bill to prevent the long-term transfer of public water from agricultural to urban areas receives its first committee hearing April 13. AB2049, by Assemblyman Juan Arambula, D-Fresno, goes before the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife committee. It would prohibit the state's Water Resources director from approving transfers with a term longer than 10 years. Rural jurisdictions, especially in California's San Joaquin Valley, have long feared losing the water allocations that districts receive through state contracts. A sale last year of up to 14,000 acre-feet annually from the San Joaquin Valley to a growing urban district in Southern California helped to stoke those fears anew.  <more> April 8, 2010 Capital Press

Ag groups encouraged to submit proposals for water enhancement projects

California agricultural and conservation groups are invited to apply for $20.7 million available through a nationwide 2010 Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) sign up.  USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the water-enhancement program and is accepting proposals from California and across the United States from now until May 17, 2010. "I want to encourage our conservation, irrigation and tribal partners in California to apply for funding for their critical water projects," said Ed Burton, NRCS State Conservationist in California.  “Last year’s 15 California recipients were able to successfully demonstrate how they would use AWEP funding to address water supply, irrigation efficiency, and nutrient management concerns and provide significant benefits to local water resources. Because of their efforts, NRCS was able to secure funding for 556 producers.”  <more> April 7, 2010 NRCS Press Release

Dairy herdsman short course April 27-29 in Tulare

A three-day dairy herdsman short course sponsored by UC Cooperative Extension will be held in Tulare April 27-29. The course is designed for working dairy employees and is designed to provide information on the latest technology and training in all aspects of dairy management. Simultaneous translation will be available to assist Spanish-speaking attendees. Morning session will focus on classroom sessions, with the afternoons devoted to hands-on training. Registration fee is $280. Companies or dairies with more than one participant will be charged $260 for each additional participant. Individual student fees are $220. Pre-registration is required. Additional information is available online at http://cefresno.ucdavis.edu/Dairy/  or by contacting Fresno/Madera dairy Advisor Gerald Higginbotham at or gehigginbotham@ucdavis.edu . Feb. 4, 2010 UCCE Notice

April 2010

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

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