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Agricultural Regulatory Program
You can receive irrigated ag program updates by e-mail.
Subscribe online: Agricultural Discharges
Announcements
NEW - ALL ENROLLED GROWERS MUST SUBMIT AN UPDATED ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF INTENT (eNOI).
Click here for more information and a link to the Electronic NOI Submittal Tool.
THE WATER BOARD IS IN THE PROCESS OF RENEWING REQUIREMENTS FOR IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE
Click here for more information on the Ag Order Renewal.
Agricultural Regulatory Program Overview
The Agricultural Regulatory Program regulates discharges from irrigated agricultural lands to protect surface water and groundwater. In 2004, the Water Board issued a general conditional waiver of waste discharge requirements that applies to owners and operators of irrigated land used for commercial crop production from which there may be a discharge of waste (irrigation or stormwater runoff or discharge to groundwater) that could affect the quality of waters of the State. More information about what a grower must do to comply with the Water Board’s requirements is available below. The Central Coast Water Board is focusing on priority water quality issues, such as toxicity, nutrients, and sediments – especially nitrate impacts to groundwater that serve as a drinking water source and 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
Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands
Owners and operators of irrigated land used for commercial crop production from which there may be a discharge of waste (irrigation or stormwater runoff or discharge to groundwater) that could affect the quality of waters of the State must comply with the Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges from Irrigated Lands (Agricultural Order) to ensure that farming operations are protecting and restoring water quality. The Agricultural Order and associated Monitoring and Reporting Program requirements are available at the links below, including a summary Fact Sheet. In general, to comply with the Agricultural Order, owners and operators must 1) Enroll by filing an electronic Notice of Intent (eNOI), 2) Prepare a Farm Water Quality Management Plan and complete farm water education hours, 3) Implement water quality management practices to treat or control runoff and discharge of pollutants (such as nutrient management), 4) Conduct surface water monitoring and reporting data individually or by participating in the Cooperative Monitoring Program, and 5) Provide required information to the Water Board.
Executive Officer Order No. R3-2011-0017
Agricultural Order No. R3-2004-0117
MRP No. R3-2011-0018
Agricultural Order and MRP Fact Sheet
Information on the Agricultural Order Renewal
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.
Click here for more information and a link to the Electronic NOI Submittal and Update Tool.
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 Liabilty 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, 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: October 4, 2011
