A group of agricultural interests and growers formed to represent all “dischargers” who own or operate irrigated lands in the Tule Basin region. See this map for the coalition boundaries.

Tulare Lake Basin Area has about 3,000,000 acres of irrigated cropland that is regulated by the Regional Water Quality Control Board as of September 19, 2013.

Water Quality, not Supply

The Regional Water Quality Control Board has stated that if you irrigate crops for commercial purposes, you are a potential discharger and subject to this new law.

• Includes Nurseries and privately and publicly-managed wetlands.
• Includes any type of irrigation system.
• Includes Commercial crops that are not yet marketable (i.e. vineyards and tree crops).

Exemptions

• Does not apply to non‐irrigated rangelands or other permanent non‐irrigated lands (i.e. fallow fields)
• Does not apply to lands covered by other General Orders, such as dairies or individual discharge permits (e.g. food processors)

• Have a middle person between you (grower) and Regulators (like your accountant to IRS) to prepare reports.
• Third Party provides Outreach and education.
• Grower can comply with Regulatory Requirements more economically than doing it individually.
• Provided grower templates (Nitrogen Management Plan, Farm Evaluation, Sediment & Erosion Control Plan)

• Maintain a copy of the General Order at your place of business (digital or hard copy) and be familiar with its contents.
• Participate in member outreach events (Minimum of 1 per year).
• Cooperate in requested assistance for groundwater quality monitoring (testing from ag wells).
• Assistance in development of management plans for water quality exceedances
• Implement industry best management practices that are protective of surface and groundwater quality for a crop type
• Maintain annual Third‐Party membership
• Complete Farm Evaluation Plan
• Complete Nitrogen Management Plan
• Complete Sediment and Erosion Control Plan (if applicable)

• File required reports with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) to provide conditional waiver coverage for members of the coalition.
• Develop and implement an economical and scientifically valid water monitoring program for area rivers and agricultural drains (as required by the waiver).
• Spread costs equitably among farm land owners/operators who are coalition members.
• Communicate to landowners where water monitoring indicates problems and work to solve those problems.

• Formed an organization with a Board of Directors and Technical Committee.
• Submitted a Notice of Applicability application to the Regional Board for acceptance as a Third Party, received approval on February 4, 2014.
• Held numerous meetings to inform growers of the new regulations.
• Completed the conditional waiver “deliverable” due …
• Create reports for the
• Notify members of requirements due.
• Provided customer services for landowners with membership and template questions.

You can join by completing the form online (coming soon) and paying your initial assessment or by downloading the application and mailing in your signed application and initial assessment (New Member Application).

The cost for the 2016-2017 fiscal year is $4/acre plus a $100 administration fee, which includes paying the State Water Resources Control Board Fee of $0.75/acre.

The Coalition is responsible to complete

• Surface Water Monitoring Reports and sampling.
• Legal fees to obtain non-profit (IRS Code 501 (3)(c)) status for the coalition.
• Groundwater Quality Reports and sampling.
• Public outreach, management plans, and help establish best management practices for different crops and irrigation practices.

You must file a Notice on Intent with the Regional Board to participate in the conditional waiver as an individual. The cost for filing as an individual discharger can be considerable. The California Farm Bureau Federation estimates start up costs and monitoring for an individual waiver at $10,000 for the first year and $3000 to $6000 annually thereafter for monitoring and reporting.

The individual members of the coalition. Failure of the coalition to meet deadlines, develop the proper monitoring programs or work to correct water quality problems would mean that individual land owners would be responsible for fulfilling those requirements. While Stanislaus County Farm Bureau and CURES representatives signed the notice of intent for the coalition, it is the coalition participants who are ultimately responsible for participating in coalition activities and paying their fair share of all costs to carry out the conditional waiver program.

The Coalition is responsible to complete Surface Water Monitoring Reports and sampling, Groundwater Quality Reports and sampling, public outreach, management plans, and help establish best management practices for different crops and irrigation practices. The cost for the TBWQC from 2014-2015 was $5/acre. Starting in 2016 the cost decreased to $4/acre.

The cost includes paying the State Water Resources Control Board Fee of $0.75/acre.

Land owner participants must agree to allow Regional Board staff, upon reasonable notification, access onto their property to determine compliance with the conditions of the waiver. Individuals are free to withdraw from the coalition at any time and obtain an individual waiver from the Regional Board.

Note on the Water Board form that this land is “Not Farmed – Not Irrigated” and return to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, 1685 E Street, Fresno, CA 93706. Replying directly on the Water Board form will provide the Water Board with your Tracking Number and Parcel Numbers. Keep a copy for your records, and sign and date the form.

No- joining is voluntary, but compliance with the General Order is mandatory.

No: Water Quality, not supply.

Ask for a refund or a returned check from the incorrect Third-Party.