Agriculture & water quality
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| Photo by Erin Feinblatt |
In December 2008, the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (CCRWQCB) convened a stakeholder panel to update the region's Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands (Conditional Waiver). The Conditional Waiver program implements federal and state laws to regulate discharges from irrigated agricultural lands and thereby protect water quality and in-stream beneficial uses. EDC was also at the table for the inaugural stakeholder panel in 2004, when CCRWQCB promulgated the first Conditional Waiver.
With the CCRWQCB's stakeholder process now terminated, EDC has joined fellow participants
Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, San Luis Obispo Coastkeeper, and
Monterey Coastkeeper in developing recommendations for the Conditional Waiver program. In general, we support four principles introduced by CCRWQCB staff, scientists, and other experts:
- Eliminate toxic discharges of agricultural pesticides;
- Reduce nutrient discharges to surface waters and groundwater;
- Minimize sediment discharges from agricultural lands; and
- Protect aquatic habitat, including riparian areas and wetlands, and adequate buffer zones.
The CCRWQCB will consider revisions to the Conditional Waiver on September 1, 2011. The public is encouraged to review and comment on a proposed draft, available online here. Comments are due August 1.
To learn more about the dangers of nitrates in our drinking water please read this article that was published in Edhat.
Resources
March 11, 2011 Comment Letter
March 15, 2011 Comment Letter
April 2011 State Water Resources Control Board Petition
April 2011 Petition for Writ of Mandate (Monterey County Superior Court)
April 2010 Comment Letter
July 2010 Comment Letter
August 2010 Petition to the State Water Resources Control Board
August 2010 CEQA Scoping Letter
January 2011 Comment Letter
