Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Regional Board, Coalitions, and Landowner/Operators “What is this program about and where is it going?”

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 Mark

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

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. Mark

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. Dave

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 Number of Exceedances - 90 –Algal – 48 (43 on Kings) –Sediment - 7 –Other - 35 Number of Management Plans – 2 –Tule Road 92 –Kern Main Drain

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. Mark

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 Dave

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?

Conclusion Program strengths. Program concerns. Direction. Dave