Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program
Regional Board, Coalitions, and
Landowner/Operators
“What is this program about and
where is it going?”
Mark
Introductions:
• Mark Larsen; General Manager
– Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District
– Manage the Kaweah River Sub-watershed of Coalition
• Dave Orth; General Manager
– Kings River Conservation District
– Chairman of the Steering Comm. of the Coalition
• Southern San Joaquin Valley Water Quality
Coalition - Kings, Kaweah, Tule, and Kern
Watersheds.
Mark
What is the Irrigated Lands
Regulatory Program?
• California Water Code: …potential to
discharge waste into waters of the state is
allowed only under a permit.
• State Law (Porter-Cologne Water Quality
Act) and Federal Clean Water Act granted
a general exemption to irrigated
agriculture.
• Exemption expired in 2001
New law in 1999
• Senate Bill 390 passed in 1999
• Regional Board authorized to “waive”
requirements provided
– Not against the public good
– Waiver does not exceed 5 years
– Waiver is Conditional
• Present “waiver” terminates in 2011.
What is a Discharge?
Who is a Discharger?
• Discharge
– Irrigation return flow
– Tail water
– Operational spills
– Storm water runoff
– Subsurface drainage
• Discharger – flows from discharge enter
surface waters of the State
Mark
What is the current structure?
• Landowner/Operators can comply
individually, or join Coalition.
– Individually; Waste Discharge Requirement
permit.
– Coalition; coverage is for a region for
management and cost effectiveness.
Mark
What are the Goals of the
Program?
• Identify water quality impacts to surface
water by Ag.
• Identify constituents causing the impact.
• Identify where wastes were discharged,
lands that contributed.
• Implement Best Management Practices
that will prevent impact.
Dave
Coalition Responsibilities
• Southern San Joaquin Valley Water Quality
Coalition formed in 2002
• Approved by the Central Valley Regional Water
Quality Control Board.
• Coalition Monitoring and Reporting Plan
approved by the Regional Board.
• Landowners enlisted for participation.
• Surface waters monitored for impacts.
• Reporting of conditions to RB.
• Communicate and coordinate with Participants.
The Southern San
Joaquin Valley
Water Quality
Coalition
•Kings River Conservation
District
•Kings River Water Association
•Kaweah-Delta Water
Conservation District
•Kaweah and St. Johns Rivers
Association
•Tule River Association
•Kern County Water Association
Monitoring Results
July 2004 – October 2009
• Number of Sites - 35
• Number of Samples Taken - 310
• Number of Exceedances - 90
– Algal – 48 (43 on Kings)
– Sediment - 7
– Other - 35
• Number of Management Plans – 2
– Tule River @ Road 92
– Kern River @ Main Drain
Mark
Landowner Responsibilities
•
•
Evaluate lands.
Review options to comply with Program.
–
–
–
•
•
•
No action
Individual Option – Waste Discharge Requirement
Coalition Option – must “knowingly elect” to
participate
Reduce potential to discharge.
Follow Best Management Practices.
Coordinate with Coalition if issue arises.
Dave
What is the Future of the
Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program
• Long-Term Program to replace Waiver when it expires in
2011
• Regional Board is conducting a CEQA analysis of 5
alternatives
– Alt. I – no change
– Alt. II – Coalitions (with Groundwater)
– Alt. III – Individual Farm Mgt Plans (direct with RB or lead
agency)
– Alt. IV – Individual WDR – regional monitoring
– Alt. V - Individual WDR
Key Questions/Issues
• What is the point of Discharge into
Groundwater?
• What level of GW Quality monitoring will
be required?
• Will local GW Management Plans be
permitted to meet RB requirements?
• Will Coalitions accept the expanded
responsibility?
Dave
Conclusion
• Program strengths.
• Program concerns.
• Direction.