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Irrigated Agricultural Waivers Program

The California Water Code authorizes State and Regional Water Quality Control Boards to conditionally waive waste discharge requirements (WDRs) if this is in the public interest.  Over the years, the Regional Water Boards issued waivers for over 40 categories of discharges.  Although waivers are always conditional, the historic waivers had few conditions.  In general, they required that discharges not cause violations of water quality objectives, but did not require water quality monitoring.  Senate Bill 390, signed into law on October 6, 1999, required the Regional Water Boards to review their existing waivers and to renew them or replace them with WDRs.  Under SB 390, waivers not reissued automatically expired on January 1, 2003.  To comply with SB 390, the Regional Water Boards adopted revised waivers.  The most controversial waivers were those for discharges from irrigated agriculture.  More information is offered on this topic below.
  • About the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (Ag Waivers)

  • Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP) Monthly Report
    The State Water Board is pleased to provide a link to the public to review monthly status reports on the ILRP. The monthly reports will provide updated ILRP information. The first monthly report will be on the Central Valley Water Boards program. Alternate monthly reports will be on the other Regional Board ILRPs. Click on the link below to read the Irrigated ILRP monthly reports. The State Water Board is also providing a link to read a Spanish translation of the monthly reports.
  • Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (Ag Waiver) Fee Schedule
    On September 21, 2006, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted a fee schedule that included fees for conditional waivers for discharges from irrigated agricultural lands. Invoices for Fiscal Year 2007-08 were mailed out in January 2008. The State Water Board will hold its annual water quality fee stakeholder meeting to discuss Fiscal Year 2008-09 fees on Monday, May 5, 2008.
  • Agricultural Water Quality Grant Program

  • Winery Waste
    • Draft Literature Review Report (LRR) (Pending)
    • Central Valley Water Board Comments on the LRR (Pending)
    • Wine Institute / Kennedy Jenkins Comments on the LRR (Pending)
    • State Water Resources Control Board Response to Comments (Pending)
    • State Water Resources Control Board Final Position Paper (coming soon)

  • Food Processing
  • Memorandum of Understanding
     On February 15, 2008 a meeting was held with the Agricultural Commissioners of Butte and Glenn counties and their staff to discuss activities performed for the MOU Pilot Program. The Glenn County contract has been approved (see link below), extending the MOU Pilot Program until March 31, 2009. The Butte County contract is awaiting the approval by the Butte County Board of Supervisors. The 2007 Annual Report for the MOU Pilot Program is being reviewed and will be posted when the review is complete.

  • Regional Board Internet Web Pages

If you have any questions or comments concerning the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, contact:

Johnny Gonzales, Program Manager
(916) 341-5510

Other Agricultural Information Links