January 22, 2010

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 can be found at www.wuenvironmental.com

Join Our Team

Western United Environmental Services is hiring an Environmental Services Technician to join our team.  Position requires a Bachelor Degree in Dairy Science or Ag Business. Strong communication and organizational skills are a must.  Experience with the Waste Discharge Requirements a plus.  Position covers from Los Banos to Riverdale.  Interested applicants should submit their resume with a cover letter to info@wuenvironmental.com.  No phone calls please.

Diesel truck exemptions must be filed by March 31

Trucks used on agricultural operations, including dairies, have received some exemptions from a new rule regulating all diesel trucks that were originally designed for on-road use. Pickups are exempt from the rule.  The exemptions were granted due to the types of uses and the economic impact the rule would have on agriculture. However, dairy producers must file for the exemptions by March 31, 2010. In order to qualify for these exemptions, producers were required to record the odometer reading of all of their trucks as of January 1. That information, plus information about the truck and its owner, must be reported to the California Air Resources Board by March 31, 2010. WUD’s environmental specialist, Paul Sousa says, “Agriculture got some valuable exemptions from this rule; however, dairy producers must register for those exemptions through this process. If a producer fails to register they will have to comply with the rule, which means turning over your truck fleet on an accelerated basis.” The exemptions forms can be downloaded from the ARB website at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/onrdiesel/documents/TBReportingForm091222.pdf

Deadline extended for Self-Propelled Off-Road Agricultural Equipment Survey

The deadline has been extended to Feb. 15 to fill out a questionnaire regarding self-propelled off-road agricultural equipment that is 25 hp or greater. Western United Dairymen, along with other agricultural organizations, is asking its members to fill out this survey. There are three to four questions in this survey dealing with region, commodities and equipment. It will take approximately 20 minutes to fill out depending on how much equipment you own. Please complete and return the survey even if you don't own any equipment. To complete the on-line form, go to: www.cfbf.com/agoffroadsurvey/

Monitoring Offsite Discharges of Storm or Tail Waters from the Production Area or Land Application Areas

Storm water discharge monitoring stressed by CDQAP - - The California Dairy Quality Assurance Program staff is reminding dairy producers of the importance of sampling and reporting off-site discharges to surface water of storm water and tail water during the current heavy rain storms. CDQAP staff note that ongoing rains likely meet the definition of a “peak storm event” in the General Order Waste Discharge Requirements for Existing Milk Cow Dairies (Order #R5-2007-0035). The CDQAP staff reminds those producers involved in complying with the Order that sampling during a storm during the next month or so at the very least is required. The Order states (MRP-4 & -5): “The Discharger shall monitor discharges of manure and/or process wastewater, storm water, and tail water from the production area and land application area as specified in Table 3 below.” The table goes on, “Storm Water Discharges to Surface Water from the Production Area (shall be monitored) daily during each discharge to surface water” and “Storm Water Discharges to Surface Water from Each Land Application Area (shall be monitored) during the peak storm season (typically February) each year from one third of the land application areas. ” Further information is available on the CDQAP website by clicking here. Jan. 20, 2010 CDQAP notice   http://www.cdqa.org/docs/8_3_Discharge_monitoring.pdf

Water briefing provides little encouragement

Hope was in shorter supply than water at a briefing on the state's water supply situation last week. More than 200 farmers and local leaders showed up at the Los Banos Fairgrounds to hear from state and federal officials about the impact of the continuing drought, low reservoir levels, regulatory inflexibility, crippling court decisions and dwindling options for those who grow irrigated crops—particularly on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley.Most of all, farmers wanted to know how much irrigation water will be available to support crops during this year's growing season.Officials warned farmers that the first water allocation estimate from the federal Central Valley Project, due next month, could be as low as the initial 5 percent estimate made by the State Water Project. But they also pointed to the hope that storms generated by the El Niño weather pattern in the Pacific Ocean would bring rain and snow to California in coming weeks. <more> Jan. 20, 2010  Ag Alert

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

January

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