Drinking water supply well monitoring is a new regulatory requirement for Sacramento Valley growers/landowners starting January 1, 2022. Rice growers in the Sacramento Valley are automatically members of the Sacramento Valley Rice Growers Coalition, with the requirement specific to wells that supply drinking water on parcels where rice is produced. Drinking water supply wells on non-rice parcels receive coverage under the Sacramento River Watershed Coalition. Rice grown in the San Joaquin Valley starts earlier and growers/landowners are directed to the local water quality coalition.*
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This is the time of year we receive calls asking where to report Farm Evaluations and various other information for the Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Order. The WDR Orders were amended in 2018, resulting in changes to the grower reporting requirements. A table listing side-by-side requirements with the Rice WDR and the Sacramento River Watershed WDR, the coalition for non-rice crops, is our effort to provide you with timely information.
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Analysis of the Rice WDR compared to other Ag Waste Discharge Requirements shows significant benefit to Sacramento Valley rice growers. At a cost of $1.60 per acre (plus staff), paid for by the CRC out of member dues, the program is the most competitive in the state. Other WDRs range from $4-$7 per acre and must be paid for directly by the grower.
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In 2020, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board will begin implementing strict new requirements for the discharge of nitrate and salt from agriculture. After more than a decade in development, the CV-Salts Basin Plan Amendment will make two important changes to all Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR’s) under which all surface and groundwater discharges fall. Here is a link to a comprehensive summary of the changes and helpful maps.
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The requirement to complete the Rice Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) Farm Evaluation and Nitrogen Management Plan moves to once every five years. This means you will report the 2022 crop information in 2023. The calricenews.org website currently reflects the change in reporting requirements. We will provide reminders as the reporting date approaches.
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The due date of the Farm Evaluation and Nitrogen Management Plan reporting for the 2018 crop year was March 1, 2019. We have extended the deadline to August 28, 2019 to provide one last opportunity for individuals to meet this regulatory requirement established by the Central Valley Water Resources Control Board.
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Monitoring for 2019
Thiobencarb monitoring starts at the Colusa Basin Drain 5 (CBD5) on Tuesday – the typical start date of water quality monitoring. The CBD5 site is off Highway 20 in Colusa County, and receives drainage from both Colusa and Glenn Counties. The Colusa County Agricultural Commissioner’s office announced receipt of the first thiobencarb notice of intent (NOI) with applications under way. Confirmation of intent to apply thiobencarb from the other rice counties will trigger the decision to add in the remaining monitoring sites. We estimate this will happen as early as May 7.
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The due date for the Farm Evaluation and Nitrogen Management Plan reporting, for the 2018 crop year, was March 1. We are extending the due date to allow full compliance for this regulatory reporting requirement. The Rice Waste Discharge Requirements (WDR) reporting website will remain open to July 31 to allow compliance through the end of planting and the application season. We are also sending non-compliance reminder letters to specific individuals.
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The Rice Waste Discharge Requirements Order (WDR) amendments were approved at the Central Valley Water Board meeting on February 7. Changes were necessary as the result of litigation to the East San Joaquin WDR Order. READ MORE
