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COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation Clean Water Action Community Water Center Administrative Record Page 6154

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Page 1: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER

Central Valley Water Board

November 30, 2012

AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation

Clean Water Action Community Water Center

Administrative Record Page 6154

Page 2: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

The Need for an Effective Groundwater Program

Nitrate contamination in Central Valley groundwater is widespread and increasing.

Administrative Record Page 6155

Page 3: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Drinking water affected by nitrate contamination

92 Drinking water systems serving over 1 million residents in San Joaquin Valley (2005-8)

~60,000 private wells used

by 169,000 residents in California (2010) Administrative Record

Page 6156

Page 4: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Consider revising Finding #17 Nitrate health effects

Acute: • Methemoglobinemia

(children < 6 months) • Severe gastroenteritis

Chronic: Cancer (thyroid, stomach,

colon, others) Impaired in utero growth,

pre-term birth Birth defects Pancreatitis Nervous system defects

Administrative Record Page 6157

Page 5: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

CUTLER, CA

Administrative Record Page 6158

Page 6: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Ducor, Ca • Town of approximately 800 people, predominantly

Latino farmworkers.

• Had to drill new well because of nitrate contamination. • Cost over $1 million and had to raise water rates. • Now rely on aquifer with high sulfur and manganese. Administrative Record

Page 6159

Page 7: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

EAST-OROSI , CA

Administrative Record Page 6160

Page 8: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

MONSON, CA

Administrative Record Page 6161

Page 9: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

RODRIGUEZ LABOR CAMP (CA CAMP), CA

Administrative Record Page 6162

Page 10: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Tooleville

Administrative Record Page 6163

Page 11: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Tonyville, CA

• Town of approximately 150 people, predominantly Latino farmworkers.

• Given well water with nitrates above legal level about 3 months out of every year.

• Other 9 months receives treated canal water Administrative Record

Page 6164

Page 12: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Voluntary practices alone are not sufficient to protect drinking water.

State & Regional Water Boards must make tough policy decisions. We need to implement solutions in

regulatory programs.

Administrative Record Page 6165

Page 13: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Key Components of an Effective Program

• Meaningful data collection • Monitoring

• Transparency Clear compliance standards

• Mitigation funding mechanism

Administrative Record Page 6166

Page 14: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

The ILRP must protect groundwater from pesticides & degradates

• The ILRP lacks legally sufficient measures to protect groundwater from pesticides

• There continues to be a tolerance for degrading groundwater that has long since evaporated in the context of surface water

• Reliance on DPR’s monitoring is legally insufficient – There continue to be significant gaps in DPR’s monitoring program

– The Board’s responsibilities to protect groundwater from pesticides

coexists with DPR’s it is not replaced by nor can it replace DPR’s role.

• The ILRP’s inadequate treatment of pesticides violates the anti-degradation policy

Administrative Record Page 6167

Page 15: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Nitrogen management plans lack information on actual N loading

• Increasing summary reporting from 1 to 36 square miles makes individual enforcement on the basis of water quality impossible

• Nutrient ratio reporting is a good indication of best practice implementation, but.. – It provides no indicator of actual groundwater impacts

• Fertilizer use reporting is needed to corroborate management practice and nitrogen management reporting and assess actual loading

Administrative Record Page 6168

Page 16: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Accountability

• All data goes through the coalition – no direct information to inform Water Board’s enforcement program

• Enforcement based upon threats to water quality is impossible under current monitoring and reporting program

Administrative Record Page 6169

Page 17: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Transparency

• Executive Officer has extraordinary powers to change key components of the order without board approval or public review.

Administrative Record Page 6170

Page 18: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Date of Compliance is neither appropriate nor enforceable

• Does not require achievement of water quality objectives

• 10-year time frame for both surface and groundwater is arbitrary and not supported by requirements of the program

• Major components of implementation are delayed until as late as 2021

Administrative Record Page 6171

Page 19: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Delayed implementation allows continued degradation

• 1999 – Legislation requiring regulation of Ag discharges in passed

• 2015 – first groundwater monitoring data collected

• 2021 – first Management Practice Effectiveness reports are due

• 2024 – compliance with groundwater objectives required Administrative Record

Page 6172

Page 20: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

The impact of continued delay

Pacific Institute regression analysis

Trend of Nitrate Levels in Monitored Wells Kern County (1978-2010) Pacific Institute 2010

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

8019

90

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

Ground Water Nitrate

Concentration (mg/L or ppm)

MCL = 45 mg/LRegression LineConfidence Interval for MeanPrediction Intervals for a SampleObservations

R² = 0.90

Probability of a sample exceeding MCL in 2020 = 40.9%

Administrative Record Page 6173

Page 21: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Five-year moving average of wells for exceeding the MCL in a given year Salinas Valley and Tulare Lake Basin

Addressing Nitrate in California’s Drinking Water UC Davis Center for Watershed Science

70% __,..----------------------------..- 7,000

Percent of wells abm·e natural background

6,000

~-------~--~- 5,000

Number of wells tested

1,000

/ '- / \ I

',..- I --· 0% 0

Administrative Record Page 6174

Page 22: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

STATE ANTIDEGRADATION POLICY State Water Board Resolution 68-16 Reso: 68-16 states: “highest water quality consistent with maximum benefit to the people the California” The Water Board is being asked to approve an order that does not meet this legal requirement: - not enforceable - insufficient to prevent continued degradation

Administrative Record Page 6175

Page 23: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

STATE ANTIDEGRADATION POLICY • Requirements:

– Sufficient information to make findings – Adequate mechanism to detect or

identify degradation and enforce prohibitions

– BPTC for all principal sources of degradation, for ALL high quality water

Administrative Record Page 6176

Page 24: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

STATE ANTIDEGRADATION POLICY Program has taken 13 years to develop and will result in continued impacts We are willing to continue to cooperate, but we have a responsibility to the communities we represent

Administrative Record Page 6177

Page 25: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Agronomic Changes and Management Impacts in the Kern

Sub Basin

Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board Workshop Bakersfield, CA

November 30, 2012

Joel Kimmelshue, PhD Administrative Record

Page 6178

Page 26: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Structure

• Nitrate Hazard Index Approach • Past Research • Independent Analysis • Main Influencing Factors

– Soil Type – Crop Type – Irrigation Method

• Conclusions Administrative Record

Page 6179

Page 27: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Accepted Nitrogen Impact Assessment

• Nitrate Hazard Index Approach – Published by the Southwestern States and Pacific

Islands Regional Water Quality Program and the University of California Center for Water Resources (Universities of Arizona, California, Nevada, etc.)

– Includes decades of research/approaches (since the 1970s)

– National Academy of Sciences Water Science & Technology Board – Chose Hazard Index as preferred method - “It is consistent with the recommendations of the nutrient Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) appointed by the CA State Water Resources Control Board.”

Administrative Record Page 6180

Page 28: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Plant Accumulation of Nitrogen

– Amount of N accumulated by a crop depends on: • Amount of N supplied by fertilizer and soil

reserves • Genetic potential of crop to take up N • Growth and yield potential of crop • Ability to retain N in rooting zone (impacted by:

soil type, crop type, irrigation method)

Administrative Record Page 6181

Page 29: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Pettygrove Poster Mapping the Risk of Nitrate Leaching from Irrigated Fields by Use of a

Nitrate Hazard Index: Case Study in the San Joaquin Valley of California

Departments of Land, Air & Water Resources' and Environmental Science & Policy2, University of California, Davis, CA Stuart Pettygrove ' · Kristin Dzurella '. Anna Fryjoff-Hung2 and Allan Hollander2, <®

Introduction imp:ld aopl&d ICCW111> :.r 116" • o! ~ C1!!m

CCIItUI!Ill>tiO., 1b!"""""" s..o Jooqu:n aad s.!Us ~of ru!mml (l!ar.tr .. ll. 2012} ~ ci:D1! lscl!iq 11 pimlrily ld::f\-.d by lllll<"''lll& avp """'~ .... £!icJoncy ~1lE) by­mal<.bul& '!'PCallaoruto aad ~of~.,..., aad fortUzor 10

avp~

n. chl5culzj•., !ilmq Dllllltl! lood!q !nm d:oo !001 ...,. ,..,..

allh 1b! crap opoc;.,. soil ~ti. aad 1)1"' o! imptiool 'J"Vflll.

lilldorl\""" llliiLlp!li!U proctiru..lb! l!ltllhooclof bip 1:llriiO 1t.oc1>mc lo" a Pfl1l"L- !Dr sl!allow-!OOI!d aad lli&!I·\'CJO crap• that~ III:Siti\""e 10 shmt-tme N ddc:i!r.c:ies. ge1rer Cll1 mply pmDI.Jbll soili•itb !knl'vn1H'-bo~c.ap.1CU'f. .a.nd ~tu:dlr fiDrow iniptiao cCIIJ:liM!C[ 10 drip or u::trospriokle: impDOD.

-oallus CGCIUI>l Uci\milyof~ st1t111l51S ~lq>td • N!rao Groo!:dJnrB Pol'mioa R>=d fndo> (Hl) for imp!Od acncuJnn (v.'a oul. 2005) Thn 10ohs mil.lblo oa!icA! 0>1b! pobbc (,.,.11.\1 ot ll. far 1nb -.s.). Th! HI tisipls irdn ,..mo. 111 crap _..._Miil-.aad~5J-mm1)Jl<- ..-!uchmam:c;.!Jocl IDplb!r 111 procbt•• c-te mk n.'Jo.

n. lllO!!>ocl .t:-.1511.lJ:.lrim>ofrisk >0\"orily il1ld 1doczi!anoa of 1b! ""JCII' !oclonc«..1l~ 111 tl::.; mk withom ~m. !.a:• 4m M!lllftdlod far mDl! ccaplicmd mes:m:z~ Em!lhoch (t_& .. Dt:pdo .. o~.. 2001. 'llld!r .. ol. 1991} BDIR\'ILII:o H: -­""' cCESidor doph to ~"""""" of t.m:.!l. orll:o ~ JDCII'ISID JaiW 1ISI: cm5Uh. !iUdl ti fl!n:ih:lr!\ C.:l &:4 _ ........ '!'Phod-

ID tills >lUdy. n asod 1b! H: ., mop 1l:o rill! o! lllllllololdlzq lrttal crapi'OCIIIOI>Hio•fom<0%1)' l.'"llo!dlo! S..J-\-\Iloyof Coh!atttY. Th!I:IQhrout:.olJ'Z.i!d""IJII.OOOh.aofur.pll!d avpl.md. doo.-.dtr.llll.'y .. ~o!- doa<bmtr¥ ~ il1ld D:liS. auus. co-. fonps. p;o:m..IO!d '-.;oub!H (F"t;. I)

Metho ds . en.p "*'"' m1 unptioo11)1"' far opxu!nnl pmmobtamodlrtttll

rota~~ (l!m-lOOI)c.ti31Dtul:lopomcoa ofU'mrRooants tml ust tun~"S -each o! l!.e f«<r cor.mtie; m tl:.~ ~· au.

• Cn>p-mdobolodan~~-ofNnqwnd. crap \-.Jut. ar.d m:rltrt)lrodua '!'J'lny oet:mi\-ily toN~ ... E~ U!tx:e=-1. ~I.

• Iln]>'lmaospritlkl<r •llh !ertigation= I. withom ft!nlpllOD = l. o\-SJilllkl•nn!ll fortiptiat= l . "ilho<l ~ =3. .0 turt.<o r;rmty 5Y'11Im = 4. Fat <n>p< tll.Jt '"~ - an ~JlK'll)· ..ubllshod 101111 0\'lrllt>d spnrlklm (HI=3). d!m SWlldlod to drip wt!b flmpllao (HI= I~ ,... !ellbt imptoc HI to l .

• Soil \"&.'uH bolodoa pltdomic.!m soil sories in SSliROO poly:""' Soil Uldu \"L':IIS nptfS1!t:[ 1b! COilS"""' ofthno soU !Ofl:l1m who cCI!Wdoadl\1tCS ..U '""" ~· il1ld pem!Oibiltry chanctmsca. ~ ~ptt:ill pedoo mDJA. Mtnal,,.la)m &:4 - (iz>illaloBo!poor ~)-

' )tJ!nply top1b!rindn \..tuos far crap_..... soil~ ~umpr:oosyste:n1)-po10_<_11HI\"1!:1t lrttalltoSO(lowto mpmk~.M.tmis ibo'O"DmF11- l.

• Filld>allhc_,.H:Ibo\-.20(Jelloor~ioFJC-l)m cCI!Wdoad tobo .. mp mk o! c::tme lscbj:- t=~~pd a1lh 1)-poal""""""" poctl<t$ (U'u .. al. 2005).

• lodft \"C:Jos.,... cCI<Ilpi!eclm 1 GIS 1151q SStiROO polypm (toil H: \..tuos) a fi!!d>(o;Dcultlnl p.llW) m l)opln:llm ofU'a.r R.escutts .. ~,(crap <j>Odo;.m-~ ~1"' HI \"L'"'"'}

Acknowt.dgements n...n: Ql. i:alad. ~~ e:. Ca!i!ccg Sba: ua. ~ c-a!old..w.---~G9-m·no u-.'!.!l:[kW. t.y..tDt.o.Jd.!l::tA b IX:~ ~.m:l.animac. mrzq IQ]-- I:YW~Rid:ad=didm.lbit~OC'Nbr.Hnr:t tr:da..

f41, 1. avptpeeia W. s:cw, we. ._ toUtNm .......... _ .. _f'A<n" "'"""

e

.._.__.-;.s.,N-.(-..0... ~U.C.iJW"~Dl'J; Kan Z:OO&. Oqllttn'lei'Cot't\'lter~~

~ UM'AI' INidtc)

... s. Soil ..... indawt~.~r1tlrsciiwriaiin ......,,.._.. .....

... o- ' . ' -' , . . . ' ' . . . . . • ' . . . .. .. . ' . . " " , . , : . . . .. ' , . .. . ,. . . . " . " X : , . .. " "' " . . . : " ~ ' . . " " • . . . 7t .. .. . . " ~ ~ . "' .

' . . .. " "' ~ • . " .. .. . "' . . " " . ~ "' . ,.. z. The unrw:ntty Off CllfDmil nilmr:

---if!ICIQ~fMil'il.Wiiut

~~·lllionl~

--~-- .............. 1

"'-'-~Hiw.lllts-~ ... pmntdtlciWIIIIII.weeiR...,.

,.. ...... ~., .......... ..,...,. vinrpra. ell W::p:llllhl: cr-. tiddl ~--.Of~ ~wia-1~

.-------.

lUJ Results an d Discussion

,..,.Deo"e&.e .llnd - wittt·niib:alir: ~-lk:tD ............. ......,...,.... .......I>« ..... .... ,

0111 thtrd (33' • .uun htottJI7.906t.) ofm. ba5io bu I cotq>OSitt lJ: > 20 ar.d 1b!roim IS \".lbnblo 0> sipmamlllitllo ~a""'~ """'-'.,-.d(F"-7) Mlldl of 1111 W<l)•.,.. is cnwod ......... rut crap "*'"'(F" 3).1Mpr!\"ale:uo!"hprisk l:llfoct l!llpl10D (FLJ. 4) ""'..-.!1-dr=od""" (F~ S) c:coatnliurltodlo! ~ 33' . of.,.." mk (F"LJ. 6).

Com (I!WI:ly far ~·l ll!ld \"tgl!>b!l~ .. ...:J .. SlGoct imp1ld IRtS l!ld f!ld aop5 pon CID t:t;l>mk..U. ott«tt:J b: il:o tt:.'I)Oill)" 0: 1bti ..... Com-..-of frlm. tr.L llltd •-.;sobll <n>p< 1> cttp or ~-lrttalil:otorlitr (l!m-2006) ..,.,._ !o\-tls 11"011!dcloau;o11:oaru <U!nb!t !nm 33' ... 22' . ofdlo! ..ulllllyzzd(Fi,p.l il1ld 9). ~ COC\"tDIIIQ of crap :mi., drip llliCiti5JD*il< l!llpl10D b.u occurrtd s:itxt d:oo s:ll'\'1!)"\-;, tl:i5 mtdy""" ~., l !m-2006, llltd 1llm!tn1b! octal<tt......,tn20Jlr.n.."borwe:il:onro""!'< !htnnl m Fip. 7 il1ld I . At.lrz•-oflll! !IOp!lldaru~arisk ofll:lnb!l~lo<; ollioJsud!ICOII\...- IS asodto poclxo •w:o Clll1l mlotbor ~ .... mel! 1JJli<LIT IICII\'t qplic>Dom o! dmy IIL1Cllt il1ld lrO impll!d b)• fumlworborda - · u-. oott tl:a.tio !UiatoCo (MR< ...... O! stUdy atU~ dairy f.trmmn:iJittd ~ 500,000coo~ (2010). a ilid! p:oductd """' tt:ill t1w1 ~~:y oil>!< ca:mty in 1l:o US .

References ~-- ·· .._ .. ,. • .;la_..a..,._.lll _ _ ...., ..... .. -...-~t:t--12* tw.,T .J1 ._.•.._~tl........._ ....... CW~~~wu..._ ..... ..,.. .,..

. ..... , .. ta...._ .... _ ftaAir ~ .._.,.

...... _...__c:.-~ ..... a.,-••~c-r.

................. u.-.. tlc.M...,.O... .,., -.... WJ...A D .w.-,_.J.J,__ tttl Miloootr. ........ _.._

;r.-~~~~~~---L=-r .......... -~ AIA..a&t.. .. .,.,., ..... Wl "'Jli­m.

.._Jft.Dt.--•1111 a.il ,_..,.. _ _. .................

=:'r'!::'.!!.::::=-w-cw..-~~""t:'i-•-...__c::......_.a.,....a.~c:.......,..........,.

'--' u..-.., .tc.--..O.....IIIIjU ............... ----. ... L~J t..r.C.,.._.,Y ....__.D a.u..DS-._..,._...

......................... , ....... c--......o .. ....... a..--"''-'= ..... "'-ri ...... :-t=~ • .._. ..... ~c..-..- ......

s il Science :a.c .. ty ~ Am.m• !1

· .- :·:~_ ' . • t .

1!1 .. ". Administrative Record

Page 6182

Page 30: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Southern San Joaquin Valley Nitrate Hazard Index Approach

Pettygrove, et al, 2012

Spatial Data Sources: DWR Crop Mapping - (Fresno Co., 2000; Tulare, 1999; Kings 2003; Kern 2006)

Soil, Crop and Irrigation Methods approach used to create relative Nitrate Hazard Index

Administrative Record Page 6183

Page 31: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Southern San Joaquin Valley Nitrate Hazard Index Conclusions - Pettygrove, et al, 2012

– 33% of basin has a significant N leaching potential – That 33% is driven by gravity/surface irrigation

practices on various crops and well-drained soils – Conversion to drip/micro systems would result in a

low leaching potential (Nitrate Hazard Index) for certain crops

– Significant conversion to these systems has occurred since the DWR 1999-2006 base layers (crop type and irrigation methods) were used.

– Following conversion, a large area remaining at risk is silage corn and other forages, receiving dairy manure applications via furrow or border-check methods.

Administrative Record Page 6184

Page 32: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Independent Analysis • Focuses on Kern Sub Basin area only • Uses Kern Sub Basin specific information

– recent (2011) Kern County crop coverage – local climatic conditions – local irrigation methods – local agronomic knowledge specific to the Kern Sub Basin

obtained from Blake Sanden and others • Performed analysis for representative scenarios in the

Kern Sub Basin area • Our analysis aligns well in approach and enhances

conclusions of Pettygrove, et al. 2012 and other researchers

Administrative Record Page 6185

Page 33: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Coarse

Medium

Fine

Kern Sub Basin Generalized Soil Textures

Data Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service ( NRC S) Soil S urvey Ge ograhic Database (SSU RGO)

Administrative Record Page 6186

Page 34: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Alfalfa

.. Almonds

.. Other Fruits and Nuts ~0

Carrots ~ 541

Citrus <l: ..

, ~ozo

Corn

! ; iO

Cornu Hwy

Range/Pasture

Fallow/Idle

Pistachio

Truck Crop

Wheat

MI"Kit t1ic ..

Sources: Esri. Delorme. NAVTEO, USGS, lntermap, iPC, Kong), Esri (Thailand). TomTom, 2012

Administrative Record Page 6187

Page 35: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

AVENAL

41

Alfalfa

.. Almonds

.. Other Fruits and Nuts ~6

Carrots! ~

Citrus :: ID

Cnrrl u Hwy

Cotton

Range/Pasture

Fallow/Idle

Field Crops

Grapes 166 c";

Irrigated Past'lrre.1

Pistachio

Jruck Crop

Wheat

M cKitUick

Fellow1 0

Toft

Sources Esri , Delorme, NAVTEQ, USGS, lntermap, Kong), Esri (Tha iland) , Tom Tom, 2012

Administrative Record Page 6188

Page 36: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

Harvested Kern Sub Basin Crops

20101990197019501930

Acr

es (T

hous

and)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Tree & Vine Forage & Grain Row Crop

20%

54%

26%

12%

40%

47%

11%

56%

33%

29%

27%

44%

44%

38%

18%

Source: Kern County Agricultural Commissioner Crop Reports – Does not include fallow land,1st leaf orchards and is Kern County only Administrative Record

Page 6189

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20101990197019501930

Indi

vidu

al C

rop

Acr

es (T

hous

and)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

CottonCarrotsTomatoes

Kern Sub Basin Row Crop TrendsHarvested Kern County Crops

20101990197019501930

Acre

s (T

hous

and)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Tree & Vine Forage & Grain Row Crop

20%

54%

26%

12%

40%

47%

11%

56%

33%

29%

27%

44%

44%

38%

18%

Source: Kern County Agricultural Commissioner Crop Reports – Select Crops

Administrative Record Page 6190

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Indiv

idual

Crop

Acr

es (T

hous

and)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Corn/Sorghum/Silage Alfalfa Wheat

Year

20101990197019501930

Head

(Tho

usan

d)

0

50

100

150

200

Dairy

0.4 0.526 30

171

Data Source: Kern County Agricultural Commissioner Crop Reports

Harvested Kern County Crops

20101990197019501930

Acre

s (T

hous

and)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Tree & Vine Forage & Grain Row Crop

20%

54%

26%

12%

40%

47%

11%

56%

33%

29%

27%

44%

44%

38%

18%

Kern Sub Basin Grain & Forage Crop Trends

Source: Kern County Agricultural Commissioner Crop Reports – Select Crops

Administrative Record Page 6191

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20101990197019501930

Indi

vidu

al C

rop

Acr

es (T

hous

and)

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

Almonds Grapes Citrus Pistachios

Kern Sub Basin Perennial Crop Trends

Harvested Kern County Crops

20101990197019501930

Acre

s (T

hous

and)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Tree & Vine Forage & Grain Row Crop

20%

54%

26%

12%

40%

47%

11%

56%

33%

29%

27%

44%

44%

38%

18%

Source: Kern County Agricultural Commissioner Crop Reports – Select Crops

Administrative Record Page 6192

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Crop Type:

• ~ 60 Crop Species Ground Verified • Final Map Legend Customizable

Permanent Crop Age:

• Juvenile • Young • Mature • Declining

Irrigation Method:

• Flood • Sprinkler

• Center Pivot • Wheel line • Hand Move

• Micro (Drip & Sprinkler) • Other

Administrative Record Page 6193

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Almonds - Drip/Micro

Fresno Tulare Kern

% D

rip/M

icro

Irrig

atio

n

40

60

80

100

2001200620102012

Data Source: 2001, 2010 DWR Irrigation Method Surveys, 2006 DWR Crop Survey, 2012 NewFields

85%83%

58%

82%80%

91%

Administrative Record Page 6194

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Grapes - Drip/Micro

Fresno Tulare Kern0

20

40

60

80

100

2001200620102012

% D

rip/M

icro

Irrig

atio

n

Data Source: 2001, 2010 DWR Irrigation Method Surveys, 2006 DWR Crop Survey, 2012 NewFields

36%

63% 63%

77%

67%

91%

Administrative Record Page 6195

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Citrus - Drip/Micro

Fresno Tulare Kern

% D

rip/M

icro

Irrig

atio

n

0

20

40

60

80

100

2001200620102012

Data Source: 2001, 2010 DWR Irrigation Method Surveys, 2006 DWR Crop Survey, 2012 NewFields

63%

92%94%

99% 99% 99%

Administrative Record Page 6196

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Kern Co. - Drip/Micro

Almonds Grapes Citrus0

20

40

60

80

100

2001200620102012

Data Source: 2001, 2010 DWR Irrigation Method Surveys, 2006 DWR Crop Survey, 2012 NewFields

80%

67%

91%91%

99% 99% %

Drip

/Mic

ro Ir

rigat

ion

Administrative Record Page 6197

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Conclusions of Analysis • Nitrate Hazard Index Approach

– Universally accepted as qualitative method to estimate nitrate leaching hazard

– Work performed recently by UC Davis (e.g. Pettygrove, et al, 2012) was unable to use current (2011/2012) land use and irrigation practices

– It was not the purpose of this work to review historic trends/future projections

• Increase in Permanent Crops – Deep rooted permanent crops account for approximately 45-

50% of the crop mix within the Kern Sub-Basin as of 2011 and continue to increase in plantings

– Of these crops (almonds, pistachios, grapes, citrus, pomegranates, etc.), over 90% are irrigated with drip/micro systems and result in limited return flow to groundwater.

– These changes have resulted in a significant reduction in the nitrate leaching hazard to groundwater over time

– Similar conclusions were reached by other researchers

Administrative Record Page 6198

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Conclusions of Analysis • Increase in Dairy

– Approximately one-third (30-35%) of remaining acreage is mostly associated with dairies (corn silage, alfalfa, sorghum, sudan grass, etc.)

– This land base/crop type is separately regulated • Decrease in Non-Dairy Related Field and Row Crops

– Over the past 20+ years, perennial fruit and nut crops, along with dairies have significantly replaced field and row crops.

– The remaining crops (15-25%) consist of cotton, carrots, potatoes, truck crops and other field and row crops

• Irrigation and N Use Efficiencies in Kern Sub Basin are likely the highest in the Central Valley

• Conditions in Kern Sub Basin are different than other areas of the Valley and it would appear to warrant consideration of a different regulatory approach

Administrative Record Page 6199

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CVRWQCB Workshop on ILRP Bakersfield 11/30/12 Blake Sanden – Irrigation Advisor, Kern County UCCE 1031 S. Mt. Vernon Ave, Bakersfield CA 93307 [email protected] http://cekern.ucdavis.edu/Irrigation_Management/

Administrative Record Page 6200

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Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in 5 year Kern almond trial: 1) Efficiency of N retained in soil

-9.0

-8.0

-7.0

-6.0

-5.0

-4.0

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.00.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0

De

pth

(fe

et)

FANJET Soil NO3-N (saturation extract, ppm)

2/7/0811/19/0812/15/091/4/11

2/7/08 11/19/08 12/15/09 1/4/11 2/7/08 11/19/08 12/15/09 1/4/110.50 0.36 0.24 0.76 97% 97% 99% 96%0.12 0.16 0.13 0.60 89% 99% 100% 98%0.07 0.05 0.07 0.08 96% 98% 98% 97%0.23 0.18 0.11 0.07 96% 98% 97% 93%0.28 0.28 0.27 0.17 92% 92% 92% 85%

(Average Clirrig concentration = 2.2 meq/l. Total Cl @ 950 lb/yr)

Estimated Nitrogen Use Efficiency, NUE (Sanden)

LEACHING FRACTION ESTIMATE(from Cl concentration at depth)

Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) in 5 year almond trial: 2) NUE by crop export

3 Year Average Kernel Yield (2009-11): 3,743 lb/ac Annual N Fertilizer Application: 275 lb/ac Annual N Export from Crop: 246 lb/ac

3 Year Average NUE: 89.6% Administrative Record

Page 6201

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Paramount Farming Company ranch-wide average applied water and soil NO3-N concentrations from 2008-12 (Note: applied water is for the

whole year and less than CIMIS calculated ET for almonds) Almond Mature

Almond Dvlpt

EASTSIDE1Avg Applied Water 43.0 25.8

Acres 13,582 83520-4 ft Avg Soil NO3-N 5.7 --

3No. of samples 324WESTSIDE

Avg Applied Water 48.2 0.0Acres 22,960 0

0-4 ft Avg Soil NO3-N 4.0 --No. of samples 700

ALL PFCAvg Applied Water 46.3 25.8

Acres 36,542 8350-4 ft Avg Soil NO3-N 4.5 --

No. of samples 1,024

1Weighted 2008-2012 average annual applied water by PFC division 2Not all fields sampled. Some fields sampled in more than one location. Mature or development (immature) status not designated. All locations sampled in 12" increments to 4 feet. Thus, total number of field locations = No. of samples/4. 3Total number of samples in one foot increments from either 2011 or 2012 when the most number of samples were taken.

Administrative Record Page 6202

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COMMENTS ON HYDROGEOLOGIC POINTS OF CONCERN FOR THE KRWCA AREA

IRRIGATED LANDS REGULATORY PROGRAM

November 30, 2012

Robert M. Gailey, P.G., C.HG.

Administrative Record

Page 6203

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE KRWCA AREA

• SUMMARY OF POINTS REGARDING DRAFT

ORDER GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM

• DETAILS OF SELECTED TECHNICAL POINTS

Administrative Record Page 6204

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE KRWCA AREA

• SUMMARY OF POINTS REGARDING DRAFT

ORDER GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM

• DETAILS OF SELECTED TECHNICAL POINTS

Administrative Record Page 6205

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KRWCA AREA KRWCAAREA

Administrative Record Page 6206

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THE KRWCA AREA IS UNIQUE AMONG REGIONS CONSIDERED FOR REGULATION

• Part of a Closed Groundwater Basin

• Groundwater Use and Management

Operations

• Significant Depth to Water

• Nitrate Impact Less Pronounced Administrative Record

Page 6207

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THE KRWCA AREA IS UNIQUE AMONG REGIONS CONSIDERED FOR REGULATION

• Part of a Closed Groundwater Basin

– Water quality impacts from nitrogen accumulate unless denitrification occurs

– Impacts from both past and present activities – Impacts from all industries – not just crop agriculture

• Groundwater Use and Management Operations

• Significant Depth to Water

• Nitrate Impact Less Pronounced

Administrative Record Page 6208

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THE KRWCA AREA IS UNIQUE AMONG REGIONS CONSIDERED FOR REGULATION

• Part of a Closed Groundwater Basin

• Groundwater Use and Management Operations

– Extraction from water supply wells – Significant recharge operations – Potential to move water around subbasin

• Significant Depth to Water

• Nitrate Impact Less Pronounced

Administrative Record Page 6209

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THE KRWCA AREA IS UNIQUE AMONG REGIONS CONSIDERED FOR REGULATION

• Part of a Closed Groundwater Basin

• Groundwater Use and Management

Operations

• Significant Depth to Water – Depth varies across area – Areas where depth is greater than to north

• Nitrate Impact Less Pronounced

Administrative Record Page 6210

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AVERAGE DEPTH TO GROUNDWATER

• Analysis of DWR Data from North to South

• East San Joaquin Watershed 88 feet • Kings Subbasin 87 feet • Kaweah Subbasin 102 feet • Tulare Lake Subbasin 77 feet • Tule Subbasin 159 feet • Kern Subbasin 219 feet Note: Calculation of averages included data declustering at the township-range level

Administrative Record Page 6211

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THE KRWCA AREA IS UNIQUE AMONG REGIONS CONSIDERED FOR REGULATION

• Part of a Closed Groundwater Basin

• Groundwater Use and Management

Operations

• Significant Depth to Water

• Nitrate Impact Less Pronounced – Quality of first-encountered groundwater – Appears better than to north

Administrative Record Page 6212

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UC DAVIS NITRATE STUDY ASSESSMENT OF NITRATE IMPACTS

Administrative Record Page 6213

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UC DAVIS NITRATE STUDY ASSESSMENT OF NITRATE IMPACTS

Worst Case

Administrative Record Page 6214

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE KRWCA AREA

• SUMMARY OF POINTS REGARDING DRAFT

ORDER GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM

• DETAILS OF SELECTED TECHNICAL POINTS

Administrative Record Page 6215

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SUMMARY OF POINTS

Preliminary Findings

– There are likely to be complexities (i.e. time lags) associated with interpreting groundwater quality data in the KRWCA area.

– Implementing a large-scale monitoring program before the

complexities are explored could result in significant unnecessary costs.

– Further study or an interim regulatory step would increase the

likelihood that the monitoring will meet the intent of the order.

Administrative Record Page 6216

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE KRWCA AREA

• SUMMARY OF POINTS REGARDING DRAFT

ORDER GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM

• DETAILS OF SELECTED TECHNICAL POINTS

Administrative Record Page 6217

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SELECTED POINTS

1. Time lags exist between agricultural activities at ground surface and changes in groundwater quality as a result of a thick unsaturated zone.

2. Nitrate residing in the unsaturated zone acts as an ongoing source to groundwater years after nitrogen is applied at ground surface.

3. The potential costs of an insufficiently planned groundwater quality monitoring program necessitate further study or an interim regulatory step before any full-scale monitoring occurs.

Administrative Record Page 6218

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SELECTED POINTS

1. Time lags exist between agricultural activities at ground surface and changes in groundwater quality as a result of a thick unsaturated zone.

2. Nitrate residing in the unsaturated zone acts as an ongoing source to groundwater years after nitrogen is applied at ground surface.

3. The potential costs of an insufficiently planned groundwater quality monitoring program necessitate further study or an interim regulatory step before any full-scale monitoring occurs.

Administrative Record Page 6219

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DEPTH TO WATER OVER KRWCA

by SGI

Administrative Record Page 6220

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REPRESENTATIVE SITES MODELED

Preliminary modeling performed by SGI includes site-specific unsaturated zone stratigraphy.

REPRESE TATIVE SITES MODELED

Administrative Record Page 6221

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MODELING RESULTS (Middle Depth - 330’)

Almonds, Drip/Micro, Coarse Soil, Interlayed Clay & Sand Administrative Record Page 6222

Page 70: COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley ... · COMMENTS ON EAST SAN JOAQUIN DRAFT ORDER Central Valley Water Board November 30, 2012 AGUA California Rural Legal Assistance

SELECTED POINTS

1. Time lags exist between agricultural activities at ground surface and changes in groundwater quality as a result of a thick unsaturated zone.

2. Nitrate residing in the unsaturated zone acts as an ongoing source to groundwater years after nitrogen is applied at ground surface. Thus, addressing current farming practices through this proposed regulation will have little affect on this legacy issue.

3. The potential costs of an insufficiently planned groundwater quality monitoring program necessitate further study or an interim regulatory step before any full-scale monitoring occurs.

Administrative Record Page 6223

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UC DAVIS ASSESSMENT OF NITRATE LOADING TO GROUNDWATER

Nitrate Sources 2003-2007 (Harter et al., 2012)Manure Separate from Crops

Manure

Atmospheric Deposition

Agricultural Wastewater

WWTP

Septic

Urban

Animal Corrals

Wells

Crops (Syn. Fert., Irrig. Src.)

59.5%

31.7%

Presented only for the purposes of discussion. The details of this analysis have not been reviewed. Administrative Record

Page 6224

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Nitrate Sources 1945-2007 (Harter et al., 2012 plus earlier activities)

Manure Separate from Crops

Manure

Atmospheric Deposition

Agricultural Wastewater

WWTP

Septic

Urban

Animal Corrals

Wells

Crops (Syn. Fert., Irrig. Src.)

Past Crops (1945-2002)

Past Manure (1945-2002)

Past Other (1945-2002)

19.3%

59.4%

5.4%

EXTENSION OF UC DAVIS NITRATE ASSESSMENT BACK IN TIME

2003-2007 Sources

Administrative Record Page 6225

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EXTENSION OF UC DAVIS NITRATE ASSESSMENT BACK IN TIME

Nitrate Sources 1945-2007 (Harter et al., 2012 plus earlier activities)

Manure Separate from Crops

Manure

Atmospheric Deposition

Agricultural Wastewater

WWTP

Septic

Urban

Animal Corrals

Wells

Crops (Syn. Fert., Irrig. Src.)

Past Crops (1945-2002)

Past Manure (1945-2002)

Past Other (1945-2002)

19.3%

59.4%

5.4%

Legacy Loading is 84% of Total

2003-2007 Sources

Administrative Record Page 6226

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NITRATE FLUSHING FROM THE UNSATURATED ZONE

Farm Spreading Ground

Administrative Record Page 6227

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NITRATE FLUSHING FROM THE UNSATURATED ZONE

Farm

Possibly less efficient farming practices in the past

Spreading Ground

Administrative Record Page 6228

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NITRATE FLUSHING FROM THE UNSATURATED ZONE

Farm

Flushing from recharge operation

Spreading Ground

Administrative Record Page 6229

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NITRATE FLUSHING FROM THE UNSATURATED ZONE

Farm Spreading Ground

Concentrations beginning to decrease as flushing continues

Administrative Record Page 6230

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SELECTED POINTS

1. Time lags exist between agricultural activities at ground surface and changes in groundwater quality as a result of a thick unsaturated zone.

2. Nitrate residing in the unsaturated zone acts as an ongoing source to groundwater years after nitrogen is applied at ground surface.

3. The potential costs of an insufficiently planned groundwater quality monitoring program necessitate further study or an interim regulatory step before any full-scale monitoring occurs.

Administrative Record Page 6231

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POTENTIAL COSTS

• Implementation of Large Groundwater

Monitoring Program as Presented in Draft Order

• Impacts to Farming Practices Required Based Upon Unclear Monitoring Results

Administrative Record Page 6232

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DATA FROM THE KRWCA AREA

What would we conclude from these data?

ATA FROM HE K WCAAREA

I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I

225 1--i t t I -1 -t t + t 1-1 -t t- -t + t- 1- 135 I I I I I I I

200 - _l_l _j ...L .L Ll _ _ I _j _j ...L ...L .L L _l_l_j _j .L Ll_l _ _j _j ...L .L L 120 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

175 I I I I I I I I I 105 -I I I I I

I I I I I r 90

125 1- 75 I

100 - l_j I ...L .L Ll ...L L 60

75 45

I I II I I I I I I I I I I 50 I II TT r1- -Ill T TT r -1-1 30

T~ppfpelif ti~ I I I I I I I I I

25 1- I 1--i 1- -1 -1 -t + t t- 1-l-1-1-1 1- 15 I I I I I I I I I I

0 0

1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 Dal:e

Administrative Record Page 6233

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CONCLUSION

Per the information provided above, the

KRWCA area is unique, groundwater quality monitoring data interpretation is expected to be complex, area-wide monitoring will be expensive, and a one-size-fits-all groundwater monitoring approach is not appropriate.

Administrative Record Page 6234

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Westside Water Districts Preliminary Water Quality Report Timothy G. Souther and Gary L. Kramer AMEC Environment & Infrastructure, Inc.

Administrative Record Page 6235

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2

Belridge Water Storage District Berrenda Mesa Water District Dudley Ridge Water District Lost Hills Water District

Administrative Record Page 6236

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3

Groundwater Quality (USGS, 1959)

District TDS Boron Criterion (mg/L) (mg/L) Belridge Water Storage District 2,848 to 6,500 0.4 to 9.5 Berrenda Mesa Water District 1,250 to 6,800 0.3 to 11.0 Dudley Ridge Water District 584 to 4,971 0.9 to 4.9 Lost Hills Water District 2,200 to 6,660 3.4 to 10.0 MUN (SMCL) 500 to 1,500 --- AGR (WQA) 450 to 2,000 0.7 to 3.0 SMCL = Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (64449, Title 22, CCR) . <500 mg/L TDS is Recommended <1,500 mg/L TDS is Short-Term Use Only WQA = Water Quality for Agriculture, FAO Drainage Paper 29, 1994. <450 mg/L TDS and <0.7 mg/L Boron is No Restriction >2,000 mg/L TDS and >3 mg/L Boron is Severe Restriction

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Perched Groundwater Quality Electrical Conductance (DWR, 2001)

SMCL = 900 to 2,200 umhos/cm

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Unconfined Groundwater Quality Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) (KCWA, 2005)

SMCL = 500 to 1,500 mg/L

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Confined Groundwater Quality Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) (KCWA, 2005)

SMCL = 500 to 1,500 mg/L

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Currently Active Community Water Systems Relying on Groundwater (SWRCB, 2012)

Water District

Bel ridge Water Storage

District

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Preliminary Findings

MUN - Groundwater within the Districts is generally of poor mineral quality (generally >2,000 mg/L TDS) and contains other mineral constituents (arsenic) that have prevented its use for drinking water. Groundwater within the Districts, except near the far northern part of DRWD (Kettleman City), is not used for municipal water supply. AGR - The poor mineral quality of groundwater (TDS, and boron) has prevented its use for agricultural irrigation. Based on the poor quality of groundwater within the Districts, they have obtained irrigation water supply from the California Aqueduct.

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