Monitoring Agriculture Strategy and Results

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Monitoring Agriculture Strategy and Results
Margie Read, REAII Senior Environmental
Scientist Irrigated Lands Regulatory
Program California Central Valley Regional
Water Quality Control Board
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Presentation Outline

• Where we were Day 1
• Addressing the challenges
• Using the 4 Cs
• What we have achieved
• Where we go from here

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Californias Central Valley
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Opportunities for Compromise

• Formation of Coalition Groups
• Coalition Monitoring (phased)
• -- Phase I Toxicity, Field Parameters, Flow
• -- Phase II Pesticides, Metals, Nutrients
• Water Board Monitoring through UC
• No phasing comprehensive approach

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Approach for Communications

• Staff Leads for Coalition Management
• Outreach Meetings
• Website and E-mail notices
• Stakeholder Groups
• SWAMP Comparability

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Active Stakeholders
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Other Active Stakeholders
Environmental Interests
Consulting Firms
Ag Commissioners
USEPA
Academia
Food and Agriculture
State Pesticide Regulators
Analytical Laboratories
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Approach for Coordination

• Identify all monitoring activities
• Synchronize sampling schedules
• Strategize on monitoring sites
• Encourage SWAMP
• Comparability

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Data, data, data..
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Monitoring Data Value

• Provides common ground
• Baseline information (status)
• Identifies data gaps
• Identifies water quality problems
• Guides Program
• revisions

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Approach for Collaboration

• Start with common ground
• Identify issues
• Developed strategy
• Utilize impartial review

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What is the same

• Coalitions still need to comply
• Program objectives
• Categories for Monitoring field measures,
  chemistry, flow, toxicity
• Exceedance response
• SWAMP QAPP

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What is different.

• Objectives as 5 Program Questions
• Monitoring framework
• Requires electronic data submittal
• Clarified actions for exceedances
• Reduction of reporting paperwork
• Monitoring Design Guidance

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• Five Program Questions

• Is the water quality protective of beneficial
  uses?
• 2. If not, how bad is the problem?
• 3. What is causing the problem?
• What are the management practices used to fix the
  problem?
• 5. Is the problem getting better as a result?

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Monitoring Framework
What is Different ..

• Assessment Monitoring (status)
• Core Monitoring (trends)
• Special Project
• (resolve problems)

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Current Actions
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Upcoming Challenges...

• Build efficiency in Coalition work
• Maximize MP implementation
• Develop links with new partners
• Expand SWAMP electronic submittals
• Coordinate monitoring
• Track Program effectiveness

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For further information.
Program website http//www.waterboards.ca.gov/cen
tralvalley/ programs/irrigated_lands/index.html
Monitoring data reports http/waterboards.ca.gov
/centralvalley/water_issues/ irrigated_lands/monit
oring/index.shtml Monitoring Program
documents http//www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralva
lley/water_issues/irrigated_lands/coalition_group_
waiver/index.shtml
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Questions?
Margie Lopez Read mread_at_waterboards.ca.gov
Thank you for listening.