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Agricultural Regulatory Program
You can receive irrigated ag program updates by e-mail.
Subscribe online: Agricultural Discharges
Announcements
UPCOMING GROWER WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED (English, Spanish, Cantonese)
2012 AGRICULTURAL ORDER - UPDATED REQUIREMENTS FOR IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE
See below for more information.
NEW - GROWERS CAN NOW VIEW THEIR FARM TIER ON THEIR eNOI IN GEOTRACKER.
Click here for more information and a link to the Electronic NOI Submittal Tool.
Agricultural Regulatory Program Overview
The Central Coast Water Board regulates discharges from irrigated agricultural lands to protect surface water and groundwater, using a permit called a Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements that applies to owners and operators of irrigated land used for commercial crop production. The Central Coast Water Board is focusing on priority water quality issues, such as pesticides and toxicity, nutrients, and sediments – especially nitrate impacts to drinking water sources. Staff is prioritizing efforts in the major agricultural areas of the region - the Salinas River, Santa Maria, and Pajaro River watersheds.
- Agricultural Regulatory Program Operational Measures
- Agricultural Regulatory Program Contacts
- State Water Board's Agriculture - Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Website
2012 Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands
On March 15, 2012, the Central Coast Water Board adopted an updated Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements (Agricultural Order No. RB3-2012-0011). The updated Order and Monitoring and Reporting Program are available at the links below. The Order places farms in one of three tiers, based on risk to water quality. For many farms (Tier 1 and Tier 2), the new requirements are similar or less stringent than the previous Order. Farms in Tier 3 have more stringent requirements. Water Board staff will contact owners and operators to confirm the appropriate tier for their farm(s). Each grower enrolled in the Order will receive a packet of information (including a copy of the Order, a list of requirements for each tier, a 5-year compliance calendar, a list of Water Board contacts, and a list of resources and assistance available to growers). In addition, Water Board staff will also announce dates for upcoming workshops to inform growers of the new requirements. Growers can view which Tier their farm is in by accessing their eNOI in GeoTracker.
IN SUMMARY, GROWERS MUST DO THE FOLLOWING TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS:
Agricultural Order, RB3-2012-00111. Enroll in the Order by filing an electronic-Notice of Intent (eNOI)
2. Develop and Implement a Farm Plan
3. Implement management practices to protect water quality
4. Conduct Surface Water Receiving Monitoring and Reporting (Cooperatively or Individually)
5. Conduct Groundwater Monitoring and Reporting (Cooperatively or Individually)
6. Install Backflow Prevention devices
7. Submit Annual Compliance Form (Tier 2 and Tier 3 ONLY)
8. Conduct Individual Discharge Monitoring and Reporting (Tier 3 ONLY)
9. Develop and Implement Certified Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (Tier 3 ONLY)
10. Develop and Implement Water Quality Buffer Plan (Tier 3 ONLY)
Tier 1 Monitoring and Reporting Program, RB-2012-0011-01
Tier 2 Monitoring and Reporting Program, RB-2012-0011-02
Tier 3 Monitoring and Reporting Program, RB-2012-0011-03
Fact Sheet – Summary of Requirements by Tier
Respuestas a Preguntas - Requisitos para cada Nivel de Riesgo
How do I enroll in the Agricultural Order?
Enroll Agricultural Operations and Farms/Ranches - electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI)
All owners and operators of irrigated land used for commercial crop production must submit an electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI) to enroll their operation and all individual farms/ranches. In addition, owners and operators must keep the information in the eNOI complete and up-to-date. Growers can also view which Tier their farm is in by accessing their eNOI.
Click here for more information and a link to the Electronic NOI Submittal and Update Tool.
How do I terminate my enrollment in the Agricultural Order?
Terminate Enrollment - Notice of Termination Forms
If you no longer own or operate irrigated land for commercial crop production and which to terminate coverage under the Agricultural Order for your operation, you must update your electronic Notice of Intent and complete a Notice of Termination. In addition, the owner or operator must notify the succeeding owner or operator of the existence of the Agricultural Order by letter and provide a copy of to the Water Board.
Notice of Termination - Terminate Operation (Page 1) or Terminate Individual Farm/Ranch (Page 2)
Agricultural Regulatory Program Enforcement
Administrative Civil Liabilities:
- Central Coast Water Board adopts Stipulated Administrative Civil Liability imposing $60,000 fine on Bradley Land Company
- The Central Coast Water Board Issues $7,455 Administrative Civil Liability to Pacifico Azul, Inc
- The Central Coast Water Board Issues Four Administrative Civil Liabilities $3000 - $14,000 (2/10/2009)
- Enforcement for Failure to Comply with Monitoring and Reporting Requirements - 5/5/2011
- Enforcement for Failure to Update Enrollment Information - 9/19/2011
Water Quality Monitoring Data
- Agricultural Regulatory Program - Cooperative Monitoring Program Reports
- Irrigated Agriculture Program Cooperative Monitoring Fact Sheets
- Central Coast Water Quality Preservation, Inc (CCWQP) manages the Cooperative Monitoring Program (CMP) on behalf of irrigated agriculture throughout the Central Coast. The CCWQP Executive Director is Kirk Schmidt, at (831) 750-5449, and the Technical Program Manager is Sarah Greene Lopez , at (831) 331-9051.
- Central Coast Ambient Monitoring Program (CCAMP): Monitoring Program
- CCAMP - Agricultural Surface Water Assessment Summary
- Report on Surface Water and Groundwater Quality Conditions in Agricultural Areas
- GeoTracker – Groundwater Ambient Monitoring and Assessment Program
Agriculture Program Education and Outreach
Scheduled Farm Water Quality Education Courses
Technical Assistance Providers
Several organizations such as the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), RCDs (Resource Conservation Districts), UCCE (UC Cooperative Extension), Farm Bureaus, and other nonprofit organizations are available to provide technical assistance to growers regarding management practices implementation and guidance through enrollment and other Ag Program requirements.
Technical Assistance Providers
Private Industry Consultants
Central Coast Irrigation and Nutrient Management Program
Related Links
Last Update: April 5, 2012
