Public Notice July 17, 2014 New Waste Discharge Requirement (WDR) program C Dobbas, Executive Director, Upper Feather River Watershed Group Even as severe drought conditions challenge California farmers and ranchers, the State requires agriculture irrigators to comply with regulations of at least two state water agencies: The Department of Water Resources (DWR) oversees water rights and allocations; while the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWB) oversees water quality concerns. Upper Feather River farmers and ranchers receive their irrigated lands water quality program information, and regional representation, through the Sacramento Valley Water Quality Coalition which represents 13 sub-coalitions within its area. The new Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), now referenced as Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR), has been adopted by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Irrigators have an option to join local coalitions to work as a group to comply with the program for their areas, or file a Notice of Intent to comply on an individual basis. The coalition option remains the most cost efficient method of program compliance for farmers and ranchers, since the fees and reporting requirements are shared through a group approach to the program. July 15, 2014 – Annual coalition participant lists were submitted to the Sacramento Valley Coalition. If you are a current UFRWG member who paid your annual dues, you are enrolled as an active member and meet current compliance requirements. If you missed renewing your membership, you may still do so by July 25. Please contact us asap. July 21, 2014 - Local Coalitions must notify their current members about the new WDR program and its expanded requirements. Upper Feather River Watershed Group (UFRWG) is the local coalition for Plumas, Sierra & a portion of Lassen County. Members have been informed of the impending new program at the 2013 November annual meeting and through a May Newsletter mailing. Additionally, an updated Newsletter with further specific information will be mailed out again in August. Coalition members will receive several new program documents: 1.) Notice of Confirmation – to acknowledge the new program with its new requirements, this will be mailed with annual membership invoices ; 2.) Farm Evaluations – members will be asked to complete a farm evaluation survey to help quantify local surface and ground water quality practices being implemented. These will be submitted to the RWB in group format. October 2, 2014 is the non-member enrollment deadline set by the RWB for coalition sign-up. Irrigators who are not currently members of a local coalition may soon receive a letter from the Regional Board which has increased outreach and enforcement efforts. Outreach lists have been sent to local coalitions for parcels within their watersheds, and mapped by the RWB, as potential irrigators who need program coverage. The Board of Directors of the UFRWG approved a 15% discount on back fees and dues for new members who enroll by the October 2, 2014 deadline identified by the RWB. Any commercial farmer or rancher who wishes to utilize the coalition option to comply with the new Waste Discharge Requirements for agricultural growers may call Carol 775-722-2610 or email cjdobbas@yahoo.com Program information for the new Waste Discharge Requirements for commercial agriculture irrigators can be found on the Central Valley Regional Board website at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralvalley/water_issues/irrigated_lands/new_waste_discharge_requirements/sacramento_river_watershed_wdrs/index.shtml