Overview of Proposed Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program

Transcription

1 Overview of Proposed Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) Joe Karkoski, Program Manager Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program 1

2 What Are WE Trying to Accomplish? WE = Water Board, Agriculture, Stakeholders Protect Protect water quality for current and future generations Ensure any new requirements are consistent with sustaining agriculture in the Central Valley Learn and adapt as we move forward 2

3 Presentation Overview About the Central Valley Water Board Current Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Changes Long Term Irrigated Lands Program What will the coalition and growers be required to do? 3

4 About the Water Board Central Valley Region Cal EPA State Water Board 9 Regional Boards Implement State and federal water quality laws based on region specific conditions Regulate discharges of waste 4

5 Eastern San Joaquin River Watershed - 1 million+ acres of irrigated lands - Major crops: almonds hay corn grapes tomatoes pasture wheat cotton walnuts 5

6 Current ILRP (2003) Program Surface water protection program only Coalition groups provide lead role in interacting with the Water Board 25,000 landowners currently enrolled Five million acres of irrigated land 6

7 Long Term Irrigated Lands Program Direction from Central Valley Water Board, June 2011 Tailor approach specific geographic areas or commodities Include requirements to protect surface and groundwater quality 7

8 Why Add Groundwater? Groundwater has been impacted by agricultural activities, particularly nitrates. Beneficial uses of groundwater have been affected. 8

9 Impacts of High Nitrates in Drinking Water Nitrate maximum contaminant level (MCL) 10 mg/l NO 3 -N N (nitrate-nitrogen) nitrogen) Can impact infants and pregnant women Methemoglobinemia / pregnancy complications* * US Public Health Service; Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: 9

10 Known Nitrate Sources (Regional) Figure 1. Estimated groundwater nitrate loading from major sources within the Tulare Lake Basin and Salinas Valley, in Gg nitrogen per year (1 Gg = 1,100 t). ; Viers, J.H., et al (2012). Nitrogen Sources and Loading to Groundwater 10

11 Max. Nitrate-N Result per Section, mg/l 5 mg/l 5 10 mg/l 10 mg/l Central Valley Water Board Meeting Agenda Item 13 June

12 Nitrates and Groundwater Pollution pathways for nitrates and pesticides are similar Nitrates/water soluble pesticides leach through soil to groundwater Pathway for nitrates/pesticides Surface runoff Unprotected / improperly sealed wells Over application of nitrogen fertilizer Other conduits to groundwater (e.g., backflow) 12

13 Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) Applies to: Commercial agricultural operations, managed wetlands, nurseries, and greenhouses Surface water discharges surface return flows, storm runoff, tile drainage, drift to surface waters Groundwater discharges Fertilizer/pesticides moving down soil profile, well head, or backflow 13

14 Approach for new ILRP Some variability by geographic area Focus requirements and plans on High Vulnerability areas: watersheds and aquifers with water quality problems Focus on management practice implementation and reporting Limited monitoring (compared to other programs) 14

15 Growers Third-party Regional Board Agencies/University EJ/Environmental CV-SALTS Interested parties Communication and Joint Learning Water Quality Collect Information Implement Management Practices Grower plans: Nitrogen Management Sediment and Erosion Control Growers implement practices: Consistent with Plans Meet Performance Standards Third-party assessments: Groundwater Quality Sediment Discharge and Erosion Water Quality Monitoring Management Practices Evaluation Program Special studies Grower reports: Farm Evaluations /Practices Nitrogen Management Summary Reports Enroll with third-party Third-party management plans: Surface Water Quality Groundwater Quality 15

16 What Will Be Required Coalition Responsibilities Evaluate and Define High and Low Vulnerability for Surface Water High and Low Vulnerability for Groundwater Assist growers in addressing water quality problems provide information on practices that protect water quality Develop Templates to assist growers in reporting information 16

17 The Eastside SJR Watershed is approximately 1,035,600 acres of irrigated agriculture. 359,000 acres are classified as DPR GWPA 236,000 acres are leaching 121,000 acres are surface runoff Central Valley Water Board Meeting Agenda Item 13 June

18 About 642,500 irrigated acres (62%) are in groundwater vulnerable areas Central Valley Water Board Meeting Agenda Item 13 June

19 What Will Be Required Coalition Responsibilities Conduct monitoring and submit reports Continue current surface water monitoring Trend Monitoring Program (use existing wells) Management Practices Evaluations Provide summary reports on nitrogen use efficiency and management practices implemented Annual Reports to Water Board 19

20 What Will Be Required Grower Responsibilities Farm Management Practices performance standards (everyone) Minimize waste discharge offsite in surface water, Minimize percolation of waste to groundwater, Minimize excess nutrient application relative to crop need, Implement effective sediment discharge and erosion prevention practices to minimize or eliminate the discharge of sediment above natural background levels Prevent pollution and nuisance, Achieve and maintain water quality objectives and beneficial uses Protect wellheads from surface water intrusion. 20

21 What Will Be Required Grower Responsibilities Complete Farm Evaluation (everyone) Complete Nitrogen Management Plan (in high vulnerability groundwater area) Certified by 3 rd party or grower trained Sediment and Erosion Control Plan (in areas identified as high vulnerability for erosion and sediment discharge) More time provided for farming operations < 60 acres total 21

22 Coalition Enrollment Existing members Current members confirm membership Must notify owners if tenant New members 120-day window to enroll with third-party After deadline, must apply to Regional Board, pay fee, before joining coalition 22

23 What Will Be Required Grower Responsibilities Install Backflow Prevention Implement Wellhead Protection Participate in Coalition Outreach Meetings Allow property access to Regional Board at reasonable hours For Compliance Inspection Purposes Only! 23

24 Nitrogen Management Plans Key mechanism to minimize nitrogen discharge to surface and groundwater High Vulnerability Areas CCA certifies nitrogen budgets for members CDFA certification program in development Member self-certification with training Plans kept on site, summary info reported to Coalition Low Vulnerability Areas Recommended, not required (this may change) 24

25 Long-Term Program Costs Coalition Fees Other Costs Depending on each farms current design and situation 25

26 What Does Tentative Order Mean? Information presented today is what we know today Some information could change if Water Board orders it so on December 7 th 26

27 What about non-members? Non-members will have 120 days to join the Coalition After 120 days, they will have to apply to the Board and apply to t the Coalition The Board can reject the application and regulate the grower individually (no Coalition) Board will work with Coalition and Ag Community to outreach to non-members After 120 days, Board will start enforcement process Inform Landowners of regulatory requirements If no response, follow-up with Orders to comply Non-compliance can then result in fines 27

28 What Does Everyone Want? Clean Water! Agricultural coalition approach can help meet that goal Growers have been and MUST be actively engaged! Water Board recognizes critical importance of agriculture in the Central Valley Working together the progress made in surface water will occur in groundwater 28

29 Questions? Contact Information Jelena Hartman Liaison to Coalition Adam Laputz Project Manager Joe Karkoski ILRP information:

30 Questions? 30